Madison Businesses Give Back to Fund Helping Local Families in Need

The Madison Eagle Christmas Fund is working together with local businesses to collect new clothes, gloves and toys for Madison households that have fallen on hard times.

The Madison Eagle Christmas Fund, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is a homegrown charitable organization of volunteers who extend “a helping hand to residents who otherwise would have faced a bleak holiday season,” Gary Ruckelshaus, the organization’s chair said.

The good work of the Fund has touched thousands of less fortunate Madison residents.

Get creative while you raise money for Madison families in need on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Madison Mud Clay Studio, located at 6 Main St. Stop by to make a holiday ornament and the proceeds will benefit the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund.

“The Fund collects donations before the start of the holiday season so that they can be distributed to Madison households in distressed circumstances,” Ruckelshaus added. “It is a proud tradition unlike any other in Morris County.”

The Fund focuses on the needs of Madison seniors and children up to the age of eighteen. Recipients typically receive food certificates, gift cards to restaurants, movie passes, warm clothing, such as sweaters, robes and winter coats, boots, toys, games, bicycles and books.

“The fund grew over the years to involve dozens of volunteers who donate their time each Christmas Season to buy, wrap and deliver gifts,” Ruckelshaus said.

Ruckelshaus added that the generosity of donors, as well as merchants, civic groups, and Madison students, who take up collections of books, toys, and winter hats and gloves, are the backbone of the Fund’s efforts.

Local Businesses Give Back

This year for the first time, the Madison Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses are formally lending a helping hand to the Fund by creating a season-long partnership.

The large picture window at Better Homes and Garden Real Estate/Coccia Realty at 49 Main St. has been dedicated to send the message of the good work that the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund Committee commits to each year.

Stop by Short Stories Community Book Hub, located at 32 Main St. on Saturday, will also be offering a Buy One, Gift One program to benefit the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund. Purchase a full priced book and receive 25 percent off the second and gift it to someone in need through the fund. The bookstore will also host a storytelling session from 12 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 29.

“The Madison Chamber of Commerce has proudly partnered with the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund to help them reach their goal of providing gifts and collecting needed items for children and seniors during this holiday season.” Karen Meyer, the Madison Chamber’s Executive Director said.

Where to Drop Off New Unwrapped Toys

The following businesses will be collecting new unwrapped toys:

Better Homes and Garden Real Estate/Coccia Realty, 49 Main St.

Weichert Realtors, 15 Prospect St.

Coldwell Banker, 180 Main St.

The Rocking Horse, 10 Waverly Pl.

Fulton Bank, 18 Elmer St.

Doodlebugz, 55 Main St.

Investors Bank, 16 Waverly Pl.

Provident Bank, 98 Main St.

Cleaners Advantage Mobile Dry Cleaning Service will pick up any new toy donations from its customers.

Where to Drop Off New Books

The following businesses will be collecting new books:

Short Stories Community Book Hub, 32 Main St.

The Fulton Bank, 18 Elmer St.

Investors Bank, 16 Waverly Pl.

Where to Drop Off New Gloves

The following businesses will be collecting new gloves:

Adams Dental, One Kings Rd.

Moment Institute, Physical Therapy and Fitness, 20 Cook Ave.

Strandz Salon J, 18 Main St.

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, 23 Main St.

The Madison Pharmacy, 66 Main St., will be collecting new gloves, slippers, blankets and sweatshirts for seniors.

Madison Businesses Donating Portions of Proceeds

The following businesses will donate a portion of sales to the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund:

Strandz Salon J will be donating 10 percent of the proceeds for the following Women’s Services: Cut, Blow-out and Style on Wednesdays and Thursdays for new clients only, now through Dec. 20.

Adams Dental will donate $50 for every set of bleaching trays sold in the month of December. This also includes any gift certificates purchased in December.

The Rocking Horse will also donate 10 percent of all baby gift items on every Saturday in December toward the fund.

La La Land Hair and Beauty Room, 36 Main St. and Madison Mud Clay Studio, 6 Main St. will donate 10 percent of all Gift Certificates sold Saturday, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13.

D Torr boutique, 36 Main St will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from all jewelry sold on Saturday, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13.

Tivoli Creative Design Studio will donate 20 percent of all Holiday Cards sold during the month of December to the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund.

“The businesses have really embraced the organizations mission and have come out in full force to make sure everyone has a merry holiday. Please stop by your local businesses and share in the spirit of giving,” Meyer said.

“Our recipients are typically referred to the fund by Madison’s clergy, school personnel and social workers,” Ruckelshaus said. “The referrals identify households where children lack warm clothing for the winter; where senior citizens live in isolation and anxiety about how they can afford both meals and heating bills, and whether they will be forgotten at Christmas; where single parents work hard but still did not know how they will manage to put toys under the tree, or a holiday meal on the table.”

About the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund

The Fund’s tradition of giving began 40 years ago, when Madison’s Barbara Valk and her family acted on an impulse to remember a small number of lonely senior citizens at Christmastime with holiday gifts. In 1974 Louise Easton, the new owner and then editor of the Madison Eagle, joined forces with the Valks, and the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund was born.

Visit the fund’s website for a list of events and drop off locations.

Photos courtesy of Karen Meyer