Holiday gifts for at-risk youth to be collected

WILLINGBORO — Crossroads Programs is sponsoring its second annual Crossroads Holiday Youth Gift Collection to distribute holiday gifts to at-risk tweens and teens served in Crossroads’ treatment and community programs.

Since 1978, Crossroads Programs has been assisting youth throughout New Jersey who are homeless, abandoned or abused.

This year, gifts will be collected at 16 MedExpress Urgent Care locations — an increase from seven last year. Gifts and donations will be accepted through Saturday, Dec. 17.

“We are thrilled to partner with MedExpress Urgent Care for the second consecutive year to bring holiday joy to the youth we serve,” said Crossroads’ Programs CEO Michael Snyder. “Last year we collected close to 300 gifts at just seven MedExpress locations, so this year we are enthusiastic to expand the program and invite even more of the community to donate.”

Gifts for youth age 10-18 are especially needed. Suggestions include ear buds, cologne, perfume, wallets, purses, book bags, body wash and lotions, winter gloves, winter hats, jewelry, footballs, basketballs, cookbooks, phone chargers and gift cards to clothing stores.

MedExpress also will collect personal care items such as toothbrushes, shampoo and deodorant to be given to Crossroads Programs. Donations will be accepted at the check-in counters at all 16 MedExpress locations in New Jersey: Cherry Hill, 2322 Route 38; Cinnaminson, 1210 Route 130 north; East Brunswick, 418 Route 18; Hamilton Square, 811 Route 33; Hazlet, 2880 Highway 35; Howell, 4074 Route  9; Ledgewood, 501 Route 10; Lodi, 184 Essex St.; Mount Ephraim, 2 South Black Horse Pike; Runnemede, 165 South Black Horse Pike; Springfield, 200 Route 22; Totowa, 225 Route 46; Vineland, 3403 South Delsea Drive; Watchung, 1569 Route 22; Willingboro, 4318 Route 130 north; and Woodbury, 875 Mantua Pike.

In addition, gifts and gift cards can also be dropped off at Crossroads Programs’ main office at 610 Beverly-Rancocas Road in Willingboro. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.crossroadsprograms.org.