Monster truck food drive planned on Dec. 6

AUGUSTA — Car enthusiasts of all ages are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy or a $5 contribution to the Chatterbox Drive-In Restaurant and take a ride in a monster truck on Saturday, Dec. 6, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Patrons can park at the Chatterbox, located at 1 Route 15, at the intersection of Route 206. After dropping off their toy or monetary contribution, visitors will be able to ride in one of the monster trucks through the unused fields at Ideal Farms, located across the street from the restaurant. The vehicles will be provided by New Jersey Monster Trucks, a company that specializes in hosting monster truck events throughout the state.

Hosting the event in support of local families was important to Don Hall, owner of the Chatterbox and a partner in the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive.

“Our goal is to help local families,” he said. “I am very familiar with Project Self-Sufficiency. It is a county-based organization and we want to keep these contributions in the county.”

The Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive involves a consortium of local social service agencies and businesses that have banded together to collect toys and other items for low-income families in the area. Led by Project Self-Sufficiency, the group includes the Chatterbox Drive-In, iHeartMedia, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Pass it Along, Selective Insurance Company of America, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald, and The Printing Center.

The group hopes to collect more than 20,000 items for distribution to low-income Sussex and northern Warren County families in mid-December.

“We are extremely grateful to the owners of the Chatterbox Restaurant, Ideal Farms and New Jersey Monster Trucks for the creative way they have come together in support of the low-income families in our area,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Neighbors like these truly will make this a season of hope for local children.”

Those who wish to contribute to the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive, but who are unable to attend the Monster Truck event on Dec. 6, are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Project Self-Sufficiency. Gift items will be received at Project Self-Sufficiency, located at 127 Mill St. in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. or Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Additional drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks. Donations are requested by Dec. 16 to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families.

For more information, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.