Thinking about the less fortunate should not be limited to the holiday season, but at a time of year when giving is the central theme, it seems even more important to remember those who have less. Two organizations (among many) are seeking donations to help the needy this year:
The Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH) program is gearing up to provide night time shelter for the homeless as the cold weather fast approaches.
The program was started by Rev. Canon Wade Renn, who recently served as interim pastor at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair and is now Missionary Priest at the House of Prayer in Newark.
The program, which is set to begin Dec. 1, provides shelter at various churches in the area for anyone who needs it. Some of the churches also provide light breakfast.
Donations are urgently needed to help make the $70,000 program run. To make a tax-deductible donation, send checks to: MESH; c/o Union Congregational; 176 Cooper Avenue; Montclair, NJ 07043. Make checks payable to “Universalist Unitarian Congregation at Montclair” and write “MESH” in the memo line.
There will also be a fundraiser for MESH, “A Holiday Celebration in Brass,” by the John J. Cali School of Music Brass Ensemble, at the Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 pm. The program will include traditional and contemporary pieces with a holiday flair as well as Dream Pantomime from Hansel and Gretel to be performed by Renée Anne Louprette. Don Batchelder will perform the Concerto for Trumpet (James).
The United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking donations to help the less fortunate through its annual Holiday Fund.
The fund supports emergency financial needs, such as a month’s rent or mortgage or utility bills, to families in North Essex County. Last year, the fund helped nearly 100 North Essex families, including a single mother from Montclair with breast cancer who needed help paying her utility bill.
This year’s fundraising goal is $32,000.
United Way rigorously screens each candidate for the fund to verify their financial need and to leverage other community supports that may also be available. Candidates are eligible for assistance if they live in the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Montclair, Roseland and Verona. All donations go directly to families in need.
Contributions can be sent to the United Way of Northern New Jersey, 60 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042. Please note “United Way Holiday Fund” in the memo. For more information, email Cynthia.Villarosa@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973-746-4040.
