St. Joseph Giving Tree grants wishes

By MATTHEW SOCKOL
Correspondent

MILLSTONE — Saint Joseph Church is sponsoring its annual Giving Tree, which provides less fortunate individuals with Christmas gifts.

Applicants have their gift requests written on tags and placed on a Christmas tree in the church. For confidentiality purposes, the identities of the applicants are kept anonymous. Those who are interested in fulfilling a wish take a tag and purchase the gift listed. The gifts are then wrapped and placed under the tree.

Gift providers do not have to be parishioners of Saint Joseph to participate; all help is welcomed.

According to the Rev. Michael Lang, the program started very small. It was created about 15 years ago with the purpose of assisting the Samaritan Center, Manalapan.

The Samaritan Center provides food to individuals and families in need in Millstone, Manalapan, Englishtown and Marlboro.

Lang took over about five years after the Giving Tree’s inception and expanded the program to helping the Millstone community and beyond.

“It’s grown now,” Lang said. “We help The Children’s Home in Mount Holly.”

This marks the third year the St. Joseph Giving Tree has assisted The Children’s Home, which provides housing for adolescents in need.

The aid could not come at a more important time; Lang said the home currently has 160 child residents, which he described as a significant increase from a year ago. Each child receives at least one item of clothing and a toy, although they are usually given additional gifts.

Along with supporting individuals and families through the Samaritan Center and The Children’s Home, the Giving Tree accepts gift requests from less well-off families in nearby areas. Most of the recipients live in Millstone, Manalapan and Jackson, but the church also helps residents who live in Cream Ridge and Freehold. All families in need, even those who are not Christian, receive aid.

Lang said the Giving Tree has always provided for all applicants, leaving no requests unfulfilled and finding something for everybody. Even when unable to find a requested gift, the church provides a substitute.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the Giving Tree may do so by visiting Saint Joseph Church, 91 Stillhouse Road, Millstone. Gift donations will be accepted until Dec. 13.