Hardyston school chief launches Stuff the Bus, ‘a fun-spirited contest’ between schools
Hardyston. Only unwrapped toys or gift cards for children and teens will be accepted. The schools have until Dec. 10 to complete their collection, which will be collected and sanitized by Project Self Sufficiency before they are presented to families.
| 16 Nov 2021 | 10:14
Gayle Carrick, executive county superintendent of schools, with Mike Ryder, chief school administrator, Hardyston School District, at the recent Season of Hope launch at Project Self Sufficiency (Photo by Laurie Gordon)
Hardyston is joining elementary, middle, and high schools from Sussex and Warren counties to Stuff the Bus, a contest where schools compete to donate the most toys and gift cards for local families in need.
“It’s a fun-spirited contest between school districts and an awesome event,” Mike Ryder, Hardyston chief school administrator, told the school board at its Nov. 9 meeting.
The toys and gift cards collected will be distributed to kids of all ages as part of the Season of Hope and the Stuff the Stocking toy drive.
The event was started by Project Self Sufficiency, a non-profit based in Newton that helps low-income families achieve economic success.
Only unwrapped toys or gift cards for children and teens will be accepted. The schools have until Dec. 10 to complete their collection, which will be collected and sanitized by Project Self Sufficiency before they are presented to families. Blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals will not be accepted.
Project Self Sufficiency will count all the donations from each school district. The district with the biggest haul will win the Stuff the Stocking trophy.