Christmas Gifts A Comfort And Joy To Men In Need In Freehold Area

FREEHOLD, NJ — Guests of the winter overnight program run by the Emergency Housing and Advocacy nonprofit saw the Christmas spirit in action this year.

The men, who lack access to permanent housing, not only had a safe and warm place to sleep but enjoyed some holiday cheer from people - and businesses - who presented them with gifts for Christmas, including the raffle of a bicycle.

The event took place on Dec. 20 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Throckmorton Street, one of the hosts of the overnight program.

Run under the auspices of the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program Inc., the organization sent out a post-Christmas thank-you to the many donors who made the gifts possible, the organization's Director of Operations Nina Rizzo said in a news release.

The Ricardo family of Jackson was just one example of such generosity.

The organization "is grateful to Carlos Ricardo of Jackson and his band of merrymakers for bringing an abundance of gifts and good cheer to the homeless men participating in our Winter Overnight Program . . . ," the program organizers said.

"Ricardo and his family, along with several other families and businesses from Monmouth and Ocean counties, contributed (and wrapped) hundreds of practical gifts for our . . . clients. The donations included warm clothing, such as sweatpants, hoodies, thermal underwear and wool caps, as well as sneakers, first aid kits, MREs (meals ready to eat), gift cards, and even candy," the organization said.

One client, a 66-year-old healthcare worker, was thrilled to receive a warm fleece jacket. “Nice and warm. This is certainly a blessing,” he said.

This is the first year Ricardo has secured business sponsors, the program organizers said.

Robert Half, an employment agency with an office in Red Bank, contributed Kynd Kits filled with useful items. Other business sponsors include Farros Tees of Toms River and MP Army Navy of Howell.

Aside from the Ricardo family, the donating families include the Nix family of Howell; the Hebeler family of Jackson; the Richards family of Howell; Carlos Ricardo's mother-in-law, Dottie Engel, of Freehold; and Joy Horvath of Freehold.

This is the third year that Ricardo, a peer recovery specialist, organized donations for the program's clients. He said the "gift fest" is his way of giving back to the community – and a great way to inspire others, especially kids, to serve those in need.

“Too many people are isolated. They’re in a protective mode,” Ricardo said before the event. “I can’t say I blame them, with the pandemic still fresh in our minds. But everyone can contribute to those less fortunate in their own way.”

Kristy Hebeler of Jackson said their family joined Ricardo’s efforts after their daughter, Olivia, 10, decided she didn’t want any gifts this year. “I told my mom I didn’t want much. I have so much and some kids don’t have anything,” Oliva said.

There was also a raffle of a beach cruiser bicycle. The program's youngest participant, 26, won the bicycle, which he said he will use to get back and forth to his new job in downtown Freehold.

The Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program works with local houses of worship to host the men on a rotating basis every night of the week, December through March. It also offers intense casework in its advocacy center so clients can secure permanent housing and a stable future, said Rizzo, the director of operations of the program.

She said the group gathered in a circle at the event, holding hands, for a closing prayer of gratitude led by Deacon Rocco Sherman of St. Peter’s Church: “Thank you for all the clothes and the gifts but mostly for the gift of each other,” Sherman said.

Donations to the program can be made through its website, www.ehapinc.org, or write to EHAP, 41 Throckmorton St., Freehold, NJ 07728.

Call the Emergency Housing and Advocacy Program at 732-431-2600 for more information about housing needs.