Operation Sleighbells needs gifts, donors
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH –– As it has for almost a century, Family & Children’s Service (FCS) on Bath Avenue is again making the holiday brighter for disadvantaged children and their families through its Operation Sleighbells program.

The annual holiday gift program began back in 1909 as a way to give area children a brighter holiday season.

Today, more than 2,000 Monmouth County children every year are provided with gifts during the holidays through Operation Sleighbells.

FCS is in need of sponsors this year for the program and is seeking families, businesses and corporations to participate in a number of different ways.

Sponsors can adopt a family and FCS will provide them with the ages, sizes and wishes of each child in the family.

In the past, some sponsors have provided gifts for the caregivers or grandparents and put together a basket of nonperishable food for the family’s holiday dinner.

An “Angel Tree” at the workplace is another way groups can become involved with Operation Sleighbells.

PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ Above: Paula Milano, of Family and Children’s Service, places a bicycle among piles of toys at the Bucky James Recreational Center in Long Branch, which is serving as a reception center for the annual Operation Sleighbells drive. Below: Catherine Hahn, Spring Lake Heights, helps sort toys on Monday.

FCS will provide Angel ornaments with the first name of a child, age, size and holiday wish. Employees can then select a child to adopt.

A third way to participate is to donate new, unwrapped toys, clothes and nonperishable food items.

FCS also welcomes monetary donations to be used to shop for families.

To become a donor or sponsor, call FCS at (732) 222-9111.