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HIGHTSTOWN: Rise holiday party brings joy to many in need

Photo by Amy Batista
   HIGHTSTOWN — This year, Rise: A Community Service Partnership gathered nearly 700 gifts for area children in need.
   To celebrate, Rise, 116 N. Main St., held its 45th annual holiday party on Dec. 17.
   It was held at the Grace Rogers School in Hightstown. Hundreds of families lined up outside the auditorium to receive their gift for the holiday. Lines extended down the hallway as families were excitedly waiting to find out what gift was in store for them in the hundreds of presents lined up on the stage in the auditorium.
   Many “thank-yous” could be heard as volunteers on stage retrieved their gifts that lined the stage in the auditorium and were brought to the children waiting at the designated tables with their parents.
   After receiving their gift, families went down to the cafeteria to celebrate with their family and friends where they enjoyed food, a variety of activities, and other festivities that were waiting for them.
   "The best feeling ever is seeing all the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Julia Badulescu, Rise food pantry coordinator and case manager.
   Hundreds of volunteers donated time and gifts to assist Rise in helping children and families in need this holiday season.
   Ed Barber, of the First United Methodist Church, in Hightstown, was in charge of the gift program. It was his job to make sure that each of the 674 children in need had a present.
   Mr. Barber and community volunteers were responsible for sorting and wrapping the gifts two weeks prior to the party.
   Over the years, Mr. Barber has created a system to make everything run smoothly. He creates labels and marks pews in the church, counts all the gifts, and packs them in big trash bags with the numbers on the outside of the bag.
   Volunteers from ShopRite came to help pack the truck at the church and unload the pre-marked bags at the school. About a dozen volunteers helped to unpack the bags full of gifts and to set up all of the presents in order again on the stage in the Grace Rogers School.
   This year, Corrine and Louis Masters, of Monroe Township, a husband and wife team, took turns watching their young children to help out.
   "We were just happy to play a small role in the process,” said Corrine Masters, of Monroe Township. “We look forward to doing more next year and teaching our children the value of giving to others.”
   The Junior League of Greater Princeton attended the holiday party and helped children make picture frames for their photos with Santa. They also greeted the children and their parents and served snacks.
   The Greater Hightstown Juniorettes, members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, provided face painting for youngsters. Other activities included cookie decorating and making bracelets out of straws.
   There was also an area for people to get themselves a “new” winter coat. The Junior League had 100 coats to give out and tickets were distributed at the Rise holiday party by its staff on a first come first serve basis. The Hightstown High School student council collected some winter hats, gloves and other accessories for the families serviced by Rise.
   "I think it’s great,” said Maria De Meo, of Hightstown. “This was my first time coming.”
   "I liked the face painting,” said Adan Riccardi, 4, of Hightstown.
   Many outside organizations teamed up with Rise this holiday season to help spread some holiday cheer and help those in need in their community.
   Kathleen Carvalho, a teacher and member of the East Windsor education association applied for a PRIDE grant. She and other teachers gave out gifts during the party and many teachers enjoyed spending time with families and interacting with their students outside of the classroom.
   "I thought it was fabulous and we were proud to hand out 250 candies and 300 key chains,” said Ms. Carvalho. “The East Windsor Education Association wants people to know that the teachers are there for the community and we’re thankful and proud to be a part of East Windsor and Hightstown.”
   The East Windsor Area Girl Scouts helped spread some holiday cheer this season. Several troops donated items to Rise to help the organization reach its original goal of serving of 625 children. However, that goal was met and exceeded; this year exactly 674 children in need were reached through Rise’s charitable giving efforts.
   "The girls were very happy to help with the gifts,” said Nancy Luther, of East Windsor and co-leader of Brownie Troop 70362.
   "I liked knowing that I was able to help people and give to others,” said Peri Luther, 7, of East Windsor, and member of Brownie Troop 70362. “It made me feel good.”
   "I (am) especially happy with what a great job they did and how well behaved they were in the church when it came time to deliver the gifts to the church,” stated Ms. Luther. “I am so proud of them.”
   Brownie Troop 71693 not only donated holiday gifts for the Rise party but also volunteered some of their time.
   "We collected $10 from each girl and used that money to sponsor four children, age eight and nine — the age of our girls, two boys and two girls and we purchased the items on their wish (lists),” said Caroline Garcia, of East Windsor, and co-leader of Brownie Troop 71693.
   "We spent an entire meeting discussing generosity and what it means, how fortunate we are to have what we have and how we are helping those less fortunate. I dropped the gifts at the church on Thursday evening and was so moved to see literally hundreds of beautifully wrapped packages placed on each pew of the church. The whole church was filled with presents. It was truly a wonderful sight.” said Ms. Garcia.
   They volunteered at the Rise holiday party from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., where the girls along with their moms helped clean up decorations, take down the Christmas tree, swept and threw out garbage. They also learned how to make a bracelet using straws and yarn.
   "I felt really happy to help kids my own age to get really nice Christmas presents because I feel really happy when I get nice Christmas presents too,” said Carina Garcia, 8, of East Windsor, and of Brownie Troop 71693.
   "It was amazing making the Christmas of all the families as happy as possible,” said Anna Vasquez, a senior case manager at Rise. “I am very proud of the efforts of Rise and all the volunteers to make this holiday special for hundreds of families.”
   "Every year, the party is a huge success,” said Ms. Vasquez. “It is joyful and fulfilling to be able to participate in this holiday party. And the Rise staff ‘thanks’ every one of the volunteers, churches, and organizations that put their time and effort into making this program a wonderful thing.”
   For more information, visit www.rise-community-services.org.