Holiday Charity Drives The Holiday Season should be filled with joy and wonder. However, with our current economy there are many South Jersey families struggling just to live day to day. You can make a difference by participating in various Holiday Charity Drives to help bring some happiness to people in your community that you don't even know need the help. Contribute to a Food Drive November is the month when the Holiday Spirit really spreads, and holiday planning begins to eat up calendar space. This year just like last year looks much different than seasons past. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to linger along with it the uncertainty it creates, one thing remains the same: The joy that comes from spreading holiday cheer by helping our neighbors in need. This year, about 800,000 people in New Jersey face hunger every day. 200,000 of them are children, that’s roughly 1 in 10 children. Additionally, children in South Jersey counties such as Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland were almost twice more likely to experience hunger than the rest of the state, with 1 in 6 children vulnerable to hunger. At Gentilini Ford we have taken steps in an effort to help these children by teaming up with The Community Foodbank of New Jersey Southern Branch and hosting a Food Drive right here at our dealership. Now through December 13, drop your donations in any of the boxes located in our Showrooms & Service Areas, and we will deliver them to those who need it most this holiday season. How can you help people facing food insecurity? Donate food or money to a food bank. Every $1 donated helps Community Food Bank of New Jersey provide three meals to individuals struggling with food insecurity. Financial gifts of any amount fuel their signature programs such that allow them to reach more people in more places across Southern New Jersey. As you reflect back on 2022 and look ahead to 2023, consider taking a moment to do good in your community and ensure that everyone has enough to eat throughout the holidays and beyond by donating today. Contribute to a Coat Drive With the holiday season comes the colder weather. Many people right here in South Jersey do not have proper attire needed to keep warm this winter. At Gentilini Ford we are doing what we can to help those in need in our surrounding communities by teaming up with local organizations that accept and distribute coats on behalf of Coats For Kids. Drop your donations in any of the boxes located in our Showrooms & Service Areas, and we will deliver them to those who need it most this winter. Contribute to a Toy Drive This time of year is full of wonder, imagination, and the hope of new toys for most children. Many South Jersey families have had to shift priorities especially with the current state of the global economy and uncertainty it brings. Alarmingly, approximately 15 million American children live in poverty. Studies reveal that growing up in poverty can have an adverse psychological impact on a child. One of the adverse impacts is low self-esteem, a by-product of little or no hope for the future. The new toy which millions of needy children receive each Christmas from Marines, through the Toys for Tots Program, delivers a message of hope. By being excellent role models and setting an example for others to emulate, Marines, through Toys for Tots, perform passive mentoring. Economically disadvantaged children who receive toys through the Toys for Tots program have an opportunity to observe first-hand how young men and women, just like themselves, have achieved success. At Gentilini Ford we are doing our part to assist our local Toys For Tots branch by partnering with them as a drop off location. In 2021 our local Toys For Tots branch supported 3,248 local children and distributed 18,036 toys! Drop your donations in any of the boxes located in our Showrooms & Service Areas, and we will deliver them to those who need it most this winter. Volunteer Your Time If means are limited this year and you’re unable to donate money, consider volunteering with our local charitable organizations. With the increased need for food, coats, clothing, shelter, and toys in our community, your support is invaluable. Here at Gentilini Ford, the holidays are about gratitude, and we could not be more grateful for your support. Thank you for participating in our holiday charity drives, nourishing our community, and ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food for themselves and their loved ones. We could not do this work without you. Get directions and take the short drive today to make a donation.
