Horizon West Cares Hosts Annual Stocking & Food Drive
Local Horizon West Charity Gears Up for 2024 Season of Giving
The Horizon West Cares (HWC) annual Stocking & Food Drive has returned—providing a way for the Horizon West community to give back to local children and families in need during the holiday season.
"Neighbors helping neighbors, that's what Horizon West Cares is all about," says Deanna Snitko, founder of the nonprofit organization that seeks to help residents experiencing financial or other difficulties.
Each year since 2020, Deanna has organized collections to help neighbors in need, and that tradition lives on with this year's annual drive.
Previously deemed the HWC Thanksgiving Drive, this year HWC will focus on providing fun-filled stockings for kids and teens. In addition to the stockings, HWC hopes to provide food care packages for children and families in need this holiday season.
“Over long holiday breaks when the kids aren't in school, many experience food hardship without the food provided from the schools. With the cost of groceries being so high, this is an even bigger problem these families face. We want to assist with that hardship over the Christmas holiday," Deanna explained.
A look back at prior years' festive donations provided by Horizon West community members
How to Donate and Participate
Horizon West Cares is seeking donations in the form of assembled food care packages and stockings stuffed with toys and gifts for children from ages 2 to 18. This year’s drive extends through December 7th, giving the Horizon West community an extra week to give back.
To streamline the donation process for this year’s drive, HWC is seeking businesses in each Horizon West village shopping area to act as drop-off locations, making it easier for residents to contribute.
Community ambassadors are also needed to help rally participation and potentially host collection points at local clubhouses. HWC will supply flyers and collection containers and will arrange regular pickups based on donation volume.
Those individuals and businesses wanting to participate are encouraged to visit the HW Cares Facebook page for more details or contact HWC directly via email.
In addition to coordinating with local business leaders, HWC is reaching out to Horizon West schools for easy coordination of getting stockings and food to students and families in need.
Making sure no donations go to waste, donation overflow for this year’s drive will be given to women & children shelters and other nonprofits in the area.
Stocking Stuffer Tips
HWC encourages those donating to keep stocking stuffers fun rather than practical, stuffed with things that kids and teens would be happy to receive. Stockings can be labeled to indicate the age group for which they are intended.
“It's very easy to fill stockings for little kids but the teens tend to be overlooked, or they end up with stockings that have very practical items or toiletries,” Deanna said.
This year, HWC is asking for those shopping for stocking stuffers to think creatively, with an emphasis on supporting local small businesses.
“With the many restaurants we have in the area that older kids can walk or ride to, $5 and $10 gift cards to any of Horizon West eateries would be a great idea,” offered Deanna.
With the Halloween season ending, HWC asks parents to also consider a donation of leftover Halloween candy that can easily be added to stockings or food drive bags.
Fulfilling the Horizon West Cares Mission
Collaborating with local non-profits to ensure all those in need are taken care of this holiday season is a passion for Deanna and her HWC mission.
In its first year, HWC filled 176 Christmas stockings for Horizon West school children and collected Christmas gift donations for other non-profit initiatives, A Heart to Give Inc. and Circles West Orange (Poverty Solutions Group), making HWC a leader in providing care to the local community.
“Everyone who participated really enjoyed shopping for the stockings. It's a fun drive for families to do with their kids, a great way to bring Horizon West communities together for a charitable purpose, and for staff of Horizon West businesses and organizations to participate in. It's also a great team-building activity or department activity for the larger corporations in the area to be part of,” said Deanna.
More About Horizon West Cares
Horizon West Cares recently received a Horizon West Magazine 2024 Good Stuff Award as Honoree for "Best Purpose Driven Cause - Where Community Thrives and Hearts Align." Good Stuff Awards are earned through nominations and votes submitted by members of the community, which shows just how well HWC has made its mark in serving Horizon West.
Deanna herself was also honored with a Who's Who of Horizon West Award in 2023 for her efforts with the cause.
For more information on the Stocking and Food Drive, please visit the Horizon West Cares social media pages or contact HWC directly via email.
Horizon West Cares on Facebook >>
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