Human Services Seeks Donations For January ‘Tricky Tray’

The Fort Lee Department of Human Services will hold a winter “Tricky Tray” in January and is currently seeking donations, whether in the form of physical gifts or taking out an ad in their annual journal.

Examples of gifts include (but are certainly not limited to) movie tickets; dinners for two; overnight stays at hotels or shore houses; autographed posters, footballs or baseballs; or gift cards. New, small items like candles, new slippers or movies will also be accepted and combined with other items to create gift baskets full of goodies.

Organizers say taking out an ad in the journal is also a great way to help out, while advertising your business directly to Fort Lee residents. It’s also a great way for your family to place a well-wishing ad if you cannot attend the event, they say.

All ads for the 4.5 x 9-inch journal must be in by Nov. 30. Rates are $25 for a business card, $50 for 3 x 5-inch ad and $200 for a half-page ad.

“This event is sponsored by the Church of the Madonna but helps all citizens in need that reside in Fort Lee,” wrote Director of Human Services Jillian Raimondo-Langham in a letter to business owners and managers seeking donations. “We really need your help in continuing to help the less fortunate of Fort Lee.”

The Department of Human Services serves a wide range of community needs, according to Raimondo-Langham.

“Many times, we fill the gap between heartbreaking needs or situations and the governmental programs if no other agency can act in time,” she said. “We help, families, seniors and individuals with food—if the family or individual is waiting for food stamps—medicine, utility and clothing needs, and wherever else there is a need.”

Money raised from the “Tricky Tray” is used to fund programs such as the following:

• Over 100 children in Fort Lee are registered; the Department of Human Services helps them and their families with winter coats, hats, mittens and holiday dinners
• This year, the department has almost 150 families that have asked for turkeys for Thanksgiving
• The department can also help people on food stamps buy hygiene items because food stamps do not cover shampoo, soap or even toilet paper

The Department of Human Services helps over 5,000 citizens a year, and that number continues to grow. Mostly, they act as a liaison for people to find governmental programs, but an increasing number of people are “falling through the cracks” because their annual income is just over the limit for food stamps or supplemental housing, according to the department.

You can send donations to or drop them off at:

Department of Human Services

309 Main Street

Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Attention: Jillian/Lori

All gifts and monetary donations must be received by Dec. 21. The “Tricky Tray” event takes place on Jan. 14, 2012. The event is limited to 160 guests. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now until they are sold out.

For more information, call the Department of Human Services at 201-592-3500, ext. 1511 or email them.