Applications for Christmas 2020 are now open!
Applications open Oct 27, 2020 at 4pm, EST
We will close applications on December 15th or when we have reached our maximum.
All contact in 2020 will require 100% compliance with proper mask-wearing and social distancing. If you do not comply, there will be no second chances. Our family's health is not yours to risk - If you do not take Covid-19 precautions seriously - DO NOT APPLY.
Applications open Oct 27, 2020 at 4pm, EST
We will close applications on December 15th or when we have reached our maximum.
All contact in 2020 will require 100% compliance with proper mask-wearing and social distancing. If you do not comply, there will be no second chances. Our family's health is not yours to risk - If you do not take Covid-19 precautions seriously - DO NOT APPLY.
How to Apply:
WHO CAN APPLY;
If your family is located in South Jersey -
and has at least one child under age 12 -
OR has at least one child under age 24 living in your home who has significant developmental delays or a profound illness and/or physical disabilty - you can complete the application here:
If your family is located in South Jersey -
and has at least one child under age 12 -
OR has at least one child under age 24 living in your home who has significant developmental delays or a profound illness and/or physical disabilty - you can complete the application here:
Our Application Process:
Applications for family assistance will be considered based on multiple factors:
First & Foremost- The type & number of donations we recieve dictates the total number families we can help. We accept families one by one, based on our ability to cover thier needs & requests.
We Accept Families Based On;
(For example- if we are already helping families with little boys ages 2, 4, 6, 7 and 7- we are going to look for more families with young girls, to fill out the spread. Its important to spread the ages and genders of the kids, because we only collect so many donations that would be appropriate for, say, 8 year old girls. If we accepted six families with girls that age - we wouldn't be able to give each family enough items to feel that we sufficiently helped that child.)
Applications DO NOT need to be submitted by a member of the family - However, we *will* need to speak to the adult / parent in the family prior to actually accepting that family for assistance.
What does NOT affect our decision on what families we accept?
We have limits due to the nature of the program-
We have ZERO paid staff. Our family also funds 100% of the costs for gas and storage to run the entire program.
Our entire program is funded by our single family - consisting of a husband & wife team (hubby works full time running his own business & assists only in the final days of the drive). Our program director is disabled w/ a chronic pain condition, is retired from law enforcement & is currently pregnant.
We are also assisted by our 9 year old son, his 70+ year old grabdparents and, in the past - just one or two other volunteers. We work 16+ hours a day from Nov 1- Dec 24th.
Everything we do is based on the donations we're able to collect.
Filling Out Your Application
Please answer as completely and honestly as possible!
None of the answers to these questions are guaranteed REJECTIONS. For example, if your family is receiving assistance from another organization- it is possible that we could still help your family so please don't change your answers according to what you think will get you approved - PLEASE be HONEST.
*** We only work with families only one time in a five year period.
This restriction applies to any blood relative or household member of a family we have previously assisted but does NOT include "waitlist families" who have recieved partial assistance. ***
You will be notified as quickly as possible of your application's status once application approvals have begun. If your family has received a "wait list" status- we encourage you to continue to seek other assistance as we can not make any promises about how many wait-listed families will be moved up by Dec 17th, 2020.
Thank you!
Applications for family assistance will be considered based on multiple factors:
First & Foremost- The type & number of donations we recieve dictates the total number families we can help. We accept families one by one, based on our ability to cover thier needs & requests.
We Accept Families Based On;
- The number & age of your children. (We are more able to help families with younger kids).
- What your family is requesting and our ability to provide those things. (If your requests are outside our capabilities/budget, we will not accept your family.)
- The reasons for your need. (so please articulate on the application, those with compelling circumstances such as: house fires, a death in the family, disability or illness, etc etc take priority.)
- Whether or not you have applied for / recieved help from us in the past. (We make every attempt to prioritize families who werw on our waiting list previously.)
- Your ability to comply with the rules & the quality & speed of your communication with us. (Those who answer / reply to our requests quickly and clearly will no doubt recieve better assistance.)
- All contact in 2020 will require 100% compliance with proper mask-wearing and social distancing. If you do not comply, there will be no second chances. Our family's health is not yours to risk - If you do not take Covid-19 precautions seriously - DO NOT APPLY.
(For example- if we are already helping families with little boys ages 2, 4, 6, 7 and 7- we are going to look for more families with young girls, to fill out the spread. Its important to spread the ages and genders of the kids, because we only collect so many donations that would be appropriate for, say, 8 year old girls. If we accepted six families with girls that age - we wouldn't be able to give each family enough items to feel that we sufficiently helped that child.)
- We cannot guarantee any one family will be accepted.
- We cannot discuss the reasons dor our decisions on who is selected; the process is fair and non descriminitory, our reasons are explained above.
- Fairness is very important to us- No decisions are ever made based on factors such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.
- We reserve the right to choose families based on our ability to help & a multitude of other considerations.
- We will always help as many families as donations & time will permit.
Applications DO NOT need to be submitted by a member of the family - However, we *will* need to speak to the adult / parent in the family prior to actually accepting that family for assistance.
What does NOT affect our decision on what families we accept?
- Your race, religion, gender identity, disabilities, sexual preferences, unconventional family makeup, etc. etc. (We are an equal opportunity fundraiser & we believe in being good to ALL who need us. We are LGBTQ+ allies & avid supporters of equal rights for all- PERIOD.)
- Your past doesn't matter- as long as you are honest. We are here to help children have a safe & happy holiday. Your prior criminal history, addiction, etc is not our concern- HOWEVER - We do expect honesty. Recovery matters & we support those making a real effort to better thier lives.
- Your previous finances. All that matters is what you need NOW. We realize that its 2020- and even those who are REALLY struggling may own a 10 year old BMW or last year's iphone because your situation wasn't always what it is now & that your situation / support may have changed. We dont judge you- we just ask that you are honest on your application.
We have limits due to the nature of the program-
We have ZERO paid staff. Our family also funds 100% of the costs for gas and storage to run the entire program.
Our entire program is funded by our single family - consisting of a husband & wife team (hubby works full time running his own business & assists only in the final days of the drive). Our program director is disabled w/ a chronic pain condition, is retired from law enforcement & is currently pregnant.
We are also assisted by our 9 year old son, his 70+ year old grabdparents and, in the past - just one or two other volunteers. We work 16+ hours a day from Nov 1- Dec 24th.
Everything we do is based on the donations we're able to collect.
Filling Out Your Application
Please answer as completely and honestly as possible!
None of the answers to these questions are guaranteed REJECTIONS. For example, if your family is receiving assistance from another organization- it is possible that we could still help your family so please don't change your answers according to what you think will get you approved - PLEASE be HONEST.
*** We only work with families only one time in a five year period.
This restriction applies to any blood relative or household member of a family we have previously assisted but does NOT include "waitlist families" who have recieved partial assistance. ***
You will be notified as quickly as possible of your application's status once application approvals have begun. If your family has received a "wait list" status- we encourage you to continue to seek other assistance as we can not make any promises about how many wait-listed families will be moved up by Dec 17th, 2020.
Thank you!
***************************************************************************
PLEASE send any QUESTIONS about Project Christmas
(with the SUBJECT "PROJECT CHRISTMAS" so your message isn't missed) - to [email protected]
PRIVACY INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING:
Please Remember: Being in need, or receiving help, should never be a source of embarrassment!
We ALL need help at times in our lives. We are giving families a HAND UP: not a hand-out.
(with the SUBJECT "PROJECT CHRISTMAS" so your message isn't missed) - to [email protected]
PRIVACY INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING:
- All information is kept confidential.
- We do not advertise the names of the families who are requesting or receiving help because we believe that DIGNITY is crucial.
- Some recipients may choose to share photos, or make a thank-you message public. This is done by choice - we do not require any kind of public recognition. (While we love to hear from the families about how we've been able to help them - we would never want anyone to share identifying information that might embarrass them or their children.)
Please Remember: Being in need, or receiving help, should never be a source of embarrassment!
We ALL need help at times in our lives. We are giving families a HAND UP: not a hand-out.