Princeton organizations work to keep holiday giving spirit alive

By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
   ’Tis the season for giving, and Princeton organizations are keeping it local.
   In the spirit of the holidays — and community partnerships — a number of donations have been given by Princeton organizations to other local agencies.
   Princeton Township Police Officer Benjamin Gering, who is president of the Policeman’s Benevolent Association 387, said the union has recently allocated $1,500 in donations among several community programs in an effort to brighten the holiday season for Princeton families in need.
   Recipients of the funds included the Princeton Human Services Commission, which will use the donation to provide gifts to children in the Princeton community who otherwise would not receive a holiday presents this season.
   Along the same lines, PBA 387 also contributed to the Princeton’s “CLAUS Project,” a program that will provide gifts this year to 211 children — and their siblings — from Community Park School, Johnson Park School and Corner House.
   Most recently, the union donated funds to the Princeton Borough Housing Authority to assist in its effort of providing families in need with enrichment programs for children during the schools’ winter recess.
   According to Officer Gering, PBA 387 looks to support programs that help to make Princeton a safer and healthier community.
   Such donations are made possible by the monetary contributions that PBA 387 receives throughout the year, he said.
   Earlier this year, the Princeton Gentlemen’s Society Foundation kicked off the giving season by announcing a grant of $1,000 to the Princeton Recreation Department to be used for the department’s planned skateboard park.
   The foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to giving grants to Princeton-area organizations that support youth sports and elderly residents, sponsors fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for its philanthropic efforts.
   Foundation Vice-President and Director Thomas Zucosky, who is also a member of the joint recreation board, said the foundation “wanted to set an example and make a contribution to what we consider to be a worthy youth sports initiative.”
   ”We find the park project to be particularly attractive given its targeted constituents,” he said, referring to Princeton’s youth.
   Organizations that would like to be considered for such grants should contact Foundation President Jeffrey DuFour at the foundation’s office, 4390 Route 1, Box 7107, Princeton, NJ 08543.