Members of the MOMS Club of Millstone Township participated in a gift wrapping party as part of the Giving Tree, a holiday gift-giving event that assists families in the community. Pictured, top row, left to right, are Alyssa Zolnowski, Ann Marie Kelly, Jenn Wilson and Nicole Bonavita; and bottom row, left to right, Jolene Briceno, Amy Weltner and Kerri Stewart. MILLSTONE — Before Thanksgiving even arrived, the members of the MOMS Club of Millstone Township had already started to prepare for a treasured holiday event: the annual Giving Tree. The moms are now ready to provide special gifts to Millstone families in time for Christmas.
The club members collected more than 100 presents for about 10 families who registered for the program through the Millstone Township Recreation Department.
The moms recently met for a wrapping party, and they found it moving and exciting to realize that every member of the families will receive at least one gift, if not more.
“We were just astonished by the generosity of the group,” said Kerri Stewart, administrative vice president of the MOMS Club and co-organizer of the effort. “Our hope is that if there are more families in Millstone who are unaware of our program, they will become aware of it and register at the recreation department.”
In an effort to delight, the moms collected toys, clothing and other presents that are likely to make the recipients smile, Stewart said.
The gifts will be dropped off at the Recreation Department for each family to pick up before Christmas.
Millstone Township school district administrators assist in the effort by providing a list of families that have children who receive a free or reduced-price lunch. The list is provided by the schools to the recreation department staff who furnish it to the MOMS Club. All names on the list are crossed out so the recipient families are anonymous.
Stewart believes the excitement builds as the event draws near and said the holiday spirit of giving even impacts the children.
“I feel this event gives us a great opportunity,” Stewart said. “Our children learn from seeing us involved in the Giving Tree. We hope this program gives our children a greater sense of community. I think they will learn how our actions and generosity can greatly impact others.”
For more than five years, the MOMS Club has offered the Giving Tree.
“We will do it next year, too,” Stewart said. “We hope to keep continuing this for the families of Millstone every year.”
Nicole Bonavita, who co-organized the event with Stewart, said the club members worked hard on the effort.
“It truly gave us a wonderful feeling to do something so positive for other people,” she said.
Bonavita said all 51 members of the MOMS Club were welcome to join in working on the Giving Tree.
The MOMS Club is a local chapter of the International MOMS Club, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization supporting mothers around the world. The local chapter provides support to moms in Millstone Township and neighboring Roosevelt. The club coordinates play groups, a monthly mom’s night out and special events such as holiday parties.
Bonavita suggested that any local moms who may be interested in joining the group, including those who work in or outside of the home, should visit www.moms clubofmillstone.com.