The Mercy House Spreads Holiday Cheer by Distributing 3,000+ Toys at Christmas Giveaway

Festively dressed staff and volunteers gave out new dolls, games, balls, and fun items to over 250 families at each Mercy House location. Parents received two toys per child plus a small gift to put in their children’s stockings. Many even took home wrapping paper, ensuring their little ones could experience the joy of ripping open packages from “Santa” on Christmas morning.

“The Mercy House’s Christmas Toy Giveaway gets bigger every year, and that’s a blessing to us as a Catholic service organization,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House. “Many of the families we serve are struggling financially, so we’re thrilled we could give them 1,000 more toys than we did in 2023. That’s 1,000 more smiles on children’s faces who probably would not have received a gift on Christmas morning otherwise.”

Numerous parishes, schools, organizations, and individual donors made this year’s Christmas toy giveaway possible. Among the contributions were hundreds from Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Arlington Women’s Club and St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny, which provided 240 bags of cookies. St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale also offered significant support to Lee, the North. In addition to supplying toys, several students of the Archdiocesan Catholic school sorted and distributed gifts at the Newark giveaway.

Founded in 2018, The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, and furniture and helps those and housing in need find work. Its three locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth serve roughly 300 people weekly. To volunteer or donate, contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and numerous missions and ministries committed to faith, education, and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.