Submitted by Kelly Bergin
The weather may have dampened some Madison Halloween traditions, but the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund (MECF) will continue to bring joy to many in town for the holiday season. MECF, a proud Madison tradition that has assisted thousands of Madison’s families and seniors for more than 40 years, has begun collecting donations to help brighten the holidays for Madison residents in need. The MECF is a community effort with civics and religious groups, merchants, schools, volunteers and individual donors teaming up to help neighbors with financial challenges. Last year, the fund assisted 70 families and 60 senior citizens, providing holiday gifts such as coats, toys, books, and grocery and gas gift cards for close to 300 Madison residents.
MECF is once again seeking local residents to continue the tradition of “neighbors helping neighbors.” MECF accepts both cash donations as well as gifts collected through area businesses and schools. Tax deductible cash donations, essential to the MECF mission, can be made through the insert provided in the October electric bill, by posting a check payable to the Madison Eagle Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 2, Madison, NJ 07940, or directly through the website at www.madisoneaglechristmasfund.org/monetary-donations/.
All three elementary schools (Central Avenue School, King’s Road School, and Torey J. Sabatini School) are now collecting donations of NEW books, sporting equipment, school and art supplies (such as crayons and coloring books) as well as gloves, hats and mittens for children up to 12 years old. Gifts for “tweens” are especially needed. Boxes are located at all three school entrances so that children can easily drop the new, unwrapped items on their way into school. This year, the Madison Library also will have a box for the collection of new children’s, teen and adult books. The collection boxes will be in place until December 12, 2018.
Madison merchants join the effort by serving as collection sites or providing discounts on gift cards that are purchased from the MECF. Some, like the Bar Method and Madison Pharmacy, are running their own promotions and using the proceeds to make a cash donation to the fund. The Madison Pharmacy is offering Madison-themed tote bags and will be contributing part of the proceeds to the MECF. The Bar Method is selling special discount cards for neighborhood businesses and donating proceeds to the MECF and other charities.
The following Chamber of Commerce members will be serving as drop-off stations. Toy Collection: Coldwell Banker, Provident Bank, Cleaners Advantage, Sugar Rush, Weichert, Lakeland Bank, Fulton Bank. Glove Collection: Adams Dental. Book Collection: Madison Library and Short Stories.
Many town businesses allow the MECF to purchase gift cards for the approved families and seniors at a discounted rate, stretching raised funds even further. These merchants include: Alfred’s Sports Shop of 32 Main St.; Ann’s Nails of 65 Main St.; the Bagel Chateau of 45 Main St.; Bottle Hill Tavern of 13 Waverly Place; Burlington Coat at 240 Route 10 in East Hanover; Crowley Cupcakes of 9 Waverly Place; Drip Coffee of 34 Main St.; Frutta Bowl of 57 Main St.; La La Land Hair and Beauty Room of 36 Main St.; the Madison Pharmacy of 66 Main St.; Main Street Subs of 187 Main St.; the Marc Anthony Salon of 32 Lincoln Place; McCool’s Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt of 26 Main St; the Nautilus Diner of 97 Main St.; Romanelli’s Pizza and Italian Eatery of 42 Lincoln Place; Short Stories Bookshop and Community Hub of 23 Main St.; Slamwich Scratch Kitchen at 143 Main St.; the Stop & Shop of 133 Main St.; Suburban Shop Shoes of 5 Waverly Place; Sugar Rush of 10 Waverly Place; T&J Sunoco at 31 Kings Rd; Tons of Toys of 64 Main St.; and Urban Fire of 6 Main St.
The MECF raises about $30,000 annually and relies solely on donations and volunteers to cover operating expenses. To learn more about MECF and other donation opportunities in town, please visit our webpage at madisoneaglechristmasfund.org and like the group on Facebook.
