Branchville business owner Sherri Cecchini and her staff recently towed a 22’ long 2020 Nautique GS22 sport boat packed with toys and gift cards to Project Self-Sufficiency. The boat’s arrival is part of the annual “Stuff the Boat” initiative on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive, an effort which has faced daunting challenges this year due to the pandemic. The economic hardships faced by lower income families coupled with the loss of jobs and the closure of schools and businesses has resulted in a wave of overwhelming need and a scarcity of donations. Off Shore Marine and a host of local first responders and civic organizations stepped up to help gather toys.

The Stuff the Boat effort is coordinated by Off Shore Marine in conjunction with members of the fire departments in Branchville, Frankford, and Sussex, along with the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, the Sussex Fire Department Emergency Medical Service, and the Sussex Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Wanderers Car Club, and the Sussex Kiwanis Club.

“Now more than ever, we are grateful for this community’s steadfast commitment to our neighbors in need. This ongoing collaboration between a local business and area first responders perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season of unprecedented challenges,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Thousands of families in our area will be helped by this initiative.”

“We have been very blessed in our lives and we have the opportunity to share these blessings,” remarked Off Shore Marine owner Sherri Cecchini. “We believe in the opportunities Project Self-Sufficiency offers to the people it serves which allow them to create a better life for themselves and their families. The toy drive is just one part of that vision and that is where we try to help.”

The Season of Hope Toy Drive benefits thousands of children in Sussex and Northern Warren counties. The effort is driven and coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners First Hope Bank, Gravity DesignWorks, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Max 106.3FM, The New Jersey Herald, Off Shore Marine, Pass it Along, The Printing Center, Selective Insurance Company of America, Shop Rite, Stocker Bus Company, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex County Community College, Sussex Honda, Sussex Technical School, United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots, WNNJ 103.7FM, and WSUS 102.3FM.

Contributions of gift cards and new, unwrapped toys for the Stuff the Boat campaign will be welcomed at Off Shore Marine, 352 Route 206 in Branchville through Sunday, December 20th. New toys, gift cards and monetary donations will also be gratefully received at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. or Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To make a donation online, or for more information, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.