A Simple Toy Can Make a World of Difference Through Star of Hope’s Christmas Joy Shoppe

By Tom Campisi

There is still time to help Star of Hope Ministries share the love of Jesus this holiday season by partnering with its Christmas Joy Shoppe initiative in Paterson.

Toys for children in these underserved communities will be collected at drop box locations throughout the Greater Bergen and Passaic County area through the end of next week (Dec. 16). The toys will then be wrapped and distributed to Star of Hope’s network of pastors and leaders in the cities they serve so children can receive them before Christmas.

Pastor Matt Andersen, the executive director of Star of Hope, said the Christmas Joy Shoppe is one of the ways his organization is equipping local churches to help bless  parents and children in their neighborhoods during the holidays.

“On the surface, our Christmas Joy Shop Initiative may look like every other Christmas toy outreach, but for our pastors and leaders it is so much more,” he said. “As our network leaders serve the parents in our neighborhoods, the toys, puzzles, games, and winter clothing they are able to distribute serve as a message of the love and compassion from the heart of God.”

To participate in the Christmas Joy Shoppe outreach, you can donate through Star of Hope’s website here and sponsor the cost of one or multiple gifts, OR purchase a toy that is $20 or less and place the unwrapped toy in one of the drop-box locations below (balls, games, black and ethnic dolls, scarves, hats, and gloves are appreciated; No guns or gifts that encourage violence, please).

“We, as the church, have so much to be grateful for, as we share the hope of the Christmas season,” Andersen said.

The Christmas Joy Shoppe is one of Star of Hope initiatives that are impacting cities. To help Star of Hope finish strong in 2022, please donate through its website here.

Star of Hope has partnered with the following businesses to be public drop-off locations for the Christmas Joy Shoppe Initiative:

DROP-BOX LOCATIONS:

Ramsey Auto Group
Various Locations

Paramus Chevrolet  
194 Route 17 North
Paramus, NJ 07652

TNTMAX
253 Madison Ave.
Wyckoff, NJ  07481

Liberty 100 Realty
171 Franklin Tpke Ste 105
Waldwick, NJ  07463

Compass Real Estate
45 N. Broad Street, Suite 101
Ridgewood, NJ  07450

Sport Shots Unlimited
225 Franklin Ave.
Midland Park, NJ  07432

Abbey Carpet and Flooring
1030 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, NJ  07506

Brook Webb Allstate Insurance
706 St Rt 15 S
Lake Hopatcong, NJ  07849