Never miss what is happening in Sussex County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from Newton to Vernon, Sparta to Stanhope. Straight to your inbox, free.
Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive is collecting new, unwrapped gifts now through December 7, 2026, at its offices at 127 Mill Street in Newton. The Newton nonprofit and its partners plan to bring holiday gifts to more than 2,000 children and teens in Sussex and Warren counties this year.
How to Donate
The drive kicked off on October 23, and Project Self-Sufficiency is asking for new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and monetary donations for children from infants through teens. Its suggested gift list includes Lego sets, board books, craft kits, sports equipment, snowsuits, pajamas, hooded sweatshirts, earbuds and wireless speakers. Teen gifts tend to run short, so items like watches, makeup sets, shaving kits and gift cards are a big help.
Gifts can be dropped off at 127 Mill Street in Newton. Gift wrap, ribbons, gift bags and boxes are also welcome, since parents wrap the gifts they choose. For drop-off questions, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.
Families Can Register November 9 to 14
Families in Sussex or northern Warren County who need help with holiday gifts can register in person at Project Self-Sufficiency, according to its registration flyer. Registration runs Monday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM, Thursday, November 12 from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday, November 13 from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Saturday, November 14 from 9 AM to noon.
Bring one proof of residence, such as a utility bill, driver’s license or county ID, and one document for each child, such as a birth certificate, report card or medical ID card. No income documentation is required, but families should be ready to share monthly income and its sources. The information is confidential and used only for the toy shop, and only registered families are admitted.
The Season of Hope Toy Shop
Instead of handing out pre-packed bags, the Season of Hope Toy Shop lets parents choose gifts for their own children during a two-day distribution in December. Hundreds of volunteers help set up and run the shop, and culinary students at Sussex County Community College bake thousands of cookies for the families who visit, according to WRNJ Radio.
Stuff the Stocking School Contest
Local schools are part of the drive through the Stuff the Stocking contest. WRNJ reports 45 schools registered this year, with Stocker Bus Company donating buses and drivers to pick up the collections. Toys are counted in early December, and Sussex and Warren schools compete for separate trophies.
More Ways to Give This Season
Project Self-Sufficiency’s drive is one of several holiday efforts in the county. Norwescap is also collecting gifts through its Winter Wonderland toy drive, and our Christmas events in Sussex County calendar lists tree lightings, Santa visits and holiday markets where you can shop local while you give.
Photo: Project Self-Sufficiency.
Have a Sussex County event coming up?
Share it with Sussex County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Sussex County.
Enjoying our Sussex County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
