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HIGHTSTOWN: Wishes granted

Rise delivers gifts to 709 children this holiday season

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — Rise, a local nonprofit organization, delivered happiness to 450 families in need this holiday season — specifically, by giving gifts to 709 children.
   For the 46th year, Rise hosted its annual holiday party in which the gifts were handed out. Prior to the event, registered children gave their Christmas wishes to Rise, and the organization went to work. Members of the community donated to the program.
   ”The spirit of generosity in our community motivates us to continue this rewarding effort,” said Leslie Koppel, Rise executive director, on Wednesday.
   The gifts were dropped off the week before the Dec.15 holiday party to the First United Methodist Church of Hightstown, Ms. Koppel said.
   Rise was founded in 1967.
   And for the 11th year, the Junior League of Greater Princeton collaborated with Rise to host this year’s party. The group delivered 100 coats on Saturday.
   The 709 gifts handed out this year were based on requests made be registered families of Rise. The organization also suggested that its donors spend no more than $30 per gift.
   Families were required to register in early October by meeting with a Rise case manager. Rise completes income verification and also informs families of ongoing local assistance programs, including its food pantry and summer camp. The organization also assesses the family’s needs.
   The amount of people struggling to put food on the table has increased since the market collapsed in 2008. Four years later, unemployment remains high.
   ”I’m just thrilled that we are able to do this,” said John Crutcher, president of the Rise board of directors.
   The party was held at the Grace Rogers School in Hightstown. Lines extended down the aisles into three separate groups as families excitedly waited to find out what gift was in store for their loved ones. Presents were showcased on the school’s stage.
   People said, “Thank you,” as volunteers retrieved gifts and brought them to the children waiting at designated tables with their parents.
   After receiving gifts, families went down to the cafeteria to celebrate.
   ”To be able, as board members, to help in whatever way we can to make this possible is, we think, a real gift to the community, but it can’t happen without the people in the community that bought and wrapped these 700 gifts,” Mr. Crutcher said. “That’s really a tribute to Hightstown and East Windsor.”
   ”I am just knocked out by this event,” said Councilman Alan Rosenberg, who joined the Rise board in August and serves as a representative from the East Windsor Township Council. “It’s a real party. The kids are so excited and having a great time.”
   Councilman Rosenberg said he “watched some kids carry out presents bigger than they are.”
   Councilman Rosenberg said, “This is a fabulous organization, and I am proud to be part of it, even for such a short period of time. Great people. Great volunteers.”
   Shagui Reyes volunteers throughout the year at Rise and “would help them with anything.”
   ”I help hand out the presents,” said Shagui, 17, of East Windsor.
   He said seeing the kids get their presents was his favorite part of the event. “I just like to see people happy.”
   For his brother, Wesley Reyes, it’s all about joy from the youngsters.
   ”I love the little kids,” said Wesley, 16, of East Windsor. It puts a smile on his face “when they smile.”
   ”I like that the little kids get really happy when they get their presents,” said another family member, Luis Reyes, 16.
   Coordinator Ed Barber of the First United Methodist Church, kept in touch with Rise, ShopRite and other participating organizations to make sure the operation ran smoothly. It was his job to make sure each of the 709 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.
   ”The Senior High Sunday school class, led by Ben Infosino and Randi Kosmides, led the ‘present warehouse’ operation this year,” Mr. Barber said in an email on Dec. 17. “They set up the pews, labeled the presents as they were dropped off at the church and arranged them numerically in the pews.”
   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 set them up on the Grace Rogers stage
   ”I love the way the community works together to make this program happen each year,” Mr. Barber said. “The folks in my church help out throughout the week leading up to the holiday party. A group from Haldeman Ford comes on Friday afternoon every year to help us bag the presents.”
   Mr. Barber added, “Everyone has the Christmas spirit and is glad to help. It’s truly a blessing to be part of something special.”
   Corrine Masters, of Monroe Township, and her family were one of those volunteers and wrappers who participated.
   ”This was the second year my husband and I were involved with helping Rise,” said Ms. Masters in an email Dec. 16. “This year we brought our oldest son, Hayden, along. We wrapped presents, sorted them, loaded and unloaded them into the truck. It was a heartwarming experience to see my son so excited about helping others.”
   Chrissy Skurbe, also of Monroe, and another volunteer and wrapper, helped along with her kids, Jessica, 7, and Bryant, 10.
   ”Although this is the second year I donated gifts through Rise, this was the first year that I helped wrap and sort gifts before the party,” Ms. Skurbe said. “It was a great experience for my children to be a part of helping those in need this holiday season. Jessica helped me sort and wrap the gifts, and Bryant helped load the truck. It was truly an amazing experience for all of us just to know that we helped put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season.”
   The Junior League of Greater Princeton members helped children make picture frames for their photos with Santa, and greeted the children and their parents in addition to serving snacks.
   The Greater Hightstown Juniorettes, members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, provided face painting for youngsters. Other activities included cookie decorating, making ornaments, creating a paper wreath and coloring holiday pages.
   The East Windsor Education Association participated by purchasing 300 treats for students as well as key chains and magnets for parents, according to Ellen Ogintz, president of the association.
   ”We also gave out booklets on helping children with schoolwork, bus safety, computer safety . . . written in both English and Spanish,” she said.
   She added, “We loved seeing the happy faces of the children and their families, and they loved seeing their teachers outside of school.”
   ”It’s just a wonderful event, and we are having lots of fun,” said Tonya Bell, of Hightstown, who was making an ornament with her daughter, Laila, 4.
   Rise’s executive director, Ms. Koppel, said that this year was special as Besler Consulting and Dow Jones partook in an adopt-a-family program.
   ”Gifts for 16 families were donated to make the (holiday season) for each family member joyous,” Ms. Koppel said, noting some of the items included sheets, towels, clothes and larger toy requests.
   For more information, visit www.rise-community-services.org.