A donated Ford Taurus carried items donated by Toll Gate Grammar School families and other Pennington-area residents to HomeFront.
By John Tredrea
A very fine version of the Santa Claus story unfolded in Pennington last week.
True, there were some variations on the story as we know it, but it was most recognizable nonetheless. In lieu of Santa’s sleigh, there was a red 1994 Ford Taurus wagon, donated by David and Mary Clare Garber.
Playing the role of Santa with consummate style was Toll Gate Grammar School Principal Myra Bugbee, who dressed up like Kris Kringle and drove the Taurus from the school to HomeFront. Based in Lawrence, HomeFront is a nonprofit organization that helps families that either are homeless or in such a stage of transition that keeping a home is a major concern.
Instead of gifts crafted by Santa’s elves, the Taurus carried dozens of new, unwrapped toys donated by Toll Gate Grammar School families and other Pennington-area residents. Also, at HomeFront’s request, scores of personal care items like soap, shampoo and toothpaste filled the spaces in the Taurus not taken by Ms. Bugbee and the toys.
"Myra was looking good," Ms. Garber said. "Right down to her bootlaces, you never saw a more stylish Santa Claus."
No surprise there. In addition to the educational degrees and credentials that landed her at the helm of Toll Gate, the blonde Ms. Bugbee also is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology.
The Taurus she drove to HomeFront after school Dec. 22 came as close to the sky-riding sleigh as it could. With washable paint, it had been adorned with Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday decorations by the Garbers’ son, Ian, a Toll Gate alumnus and now a seventh-grader at Timberlane Middle School, and his pal Danny Savitski, also a Timberlane seventh-grader via Toll Gate. Ian’s 5-year-old brother Noah helped them out. The three boys also canvassed the King George Road neighborhood where the Garbers live, asking residents to donate items for HomeFront.
"There was an overwhelming response from the neighborhood. It was wonderful," Ms. Garber said.
Ms. Garber got the idea of donating the gift-laden car after Connie Mercer, director of HomeFront, spoke recently at the Unitarian-Universalist Church the Garbers attend.
"Unlike some other charities, HomeFront doesn’t sell donated cars for parts," Ms. Garber said. "They give the car to a family that can use it to meet basic needs getting to work, shopping for food, getting kids to the doctor, things like that."
Mr. Garber, a Pennington Borough councilman, brushed aside the idea that giving away the Taurus, which is in fine condition, was unusually generous. "We bought another car and don’t need the Taurus anymore," he said. "I’m glad HomeFront can put it to such good use."
Before being driven by Ms. Bugbee/St. Nick to HomeFront’s office on Princeton Avenue in southern Lawrence Township, the inside and outside of the Taurus had been cleaned and polished to the max, at no charge, by the Hopewell Valley Car Wash on Route 31 in Hopewell Township about a mile north of Pennington.
"After hearing Connie Mercer, I asked Myra to send out a flyer to Toll Gate families, asking for items to go in the car," Ms. Garber said. "I knew Toll Gate has a longstanding tradition of pulling together projects to help those in need. Again, the response to the flyers was overwhelming."
Ms. Garber said emotionally, "It was a precious moment to see the children at HomeFront unload the car." She added: "They took us on a tour while we were at HomeFront. One thing their winter pantry is quite low. Connie Mercer is concerned about that."
Anyone wishing to donate food canned goods are helpful or other assistance to HomeFront can contact the organization, which is at 1880 Princeton Ave., at 989-9417. Donations, including those of automobiles, are tax-deductible.