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Spirit Of Giving Strong At Howell Holiday Giveaway
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photo By Keith Hagarty Thousands of gift items are stacked and ready for distribution at the 12th Annual Howell Holiday Giveaway. |
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Stacks of gift items overflowed from every conceivable space at the Howell Recreation Building on Preventorium Road this week, as hundred of families were given a helping hand thanks to the 12th Annual Howell Holiday Giveaway.
The program provides free holiday gifts for children whose families are most in need, from infants to 17-year-olds. For the 20 volunteers, police and township employees who donate their time and efforts to the annual giveaway, the reward comes in helping to make a child happy this holiday season.
"It's going wonderful," said Anna Ornstein, coordinator of the program for the last three years. "We're very blessed."
Dashing between rooms, sorting through piles of donated gifts, volunteer Robin Fay was happy to do her part.
"It's nice being able to give the kids something they wouldn't have," said Fay. "Even if we're just giving them something that's in addition to (other gifts) for certain families, even if it's not their whole Christmas, but for some families it is. Either way, it's an awesome feeling to know you're helping others and giving something back to the community which has been very good to me."
Helping out in her first year with the Howell Holiday Giveaway, Fay attributed her participation to her five years of service to the Howell Food Pantry.
"I had a sudden change in circumstances in my own life and I had to go to the Howell Food Pantry," she said. "After going once or twice, I wanted to give something back. I couldn't just take if I wasn't going to give."
While her financial situation has since improved, the relationships and feeling of compassion found through her volunteer work at the pantry had Fay hooked.
"Even though things got better for me, I've still continued to go to the pantry and help out every Monday since," she said.
Even though the official distribution dates took place last week, Ornstein said donations would still be accepted at the recreation building throughout the holiday season.
"I also deliver on Christmas Eve for the people who couldn't get here today for whatever reason, or didn't hear about it," she said. "I bring everything home, put it in my garage, categorize it, organize it and then as they call, I bag it all up and bring it back here."
The giveaway is most in need of gift items for teenagers, such as iPods and cell phones, said organizers.
Ornstein's selfless efforts year in and year out for those in need should be applauded, according to Irene Plantz, a program coordinator with the township recreation department.
"It takes a special personality and special person," said Plantz. "Not just anyone can do her job … she's just totally giving."
Dismissing any individual praise, Ornstein said it all comes down to the generosity of all those around her.
"We just kind of beg, borrow and steal, and it's worked out just great," Ornstein joked. "My girlfriends call me 'Anna The Hood' because I rob from the rich and give to the poor."
Ornstein pointed to one national retailer in Howell who has become a mainstay for the program.
"We always shop at Wal-Mart because they give us a discount and register, and they've always been good to us," said Ornstein. "We try to keep it in the community, so if someone has to return something or exchange something, it just makes it a little easier."
Ornstein also singled out the Gugliemo family for their generous donation of Hannah Montana concert tickets, one of the most popular gift items this holiday season.
In addition to the plethora of donations from residents, other organizations and community groups who contributed to the giveaway included: the Howell Chamber of Commerce, Howell Police Benevolence Association (PBA) #228, Dr. Nijwa Bahssoun and staff, Dunkin Donuts on Route 9 South, Young's Appliance, Longhorn Steakhouse, Carino's Italian Restaurant, Dr. Isaac Siegel and staff, Manasquan Savings, Ramtown Liquors, Capricci's, PNC Bank, Acme of Freehold, Federici's Restaurant, Sorrentino's Restaurant, Cold Stone Creamery, Chick-fil-A, The Ice Cream of Quail Creek Mall, Corsi's Pizza, Memorial Middle School, Ardena, Taunton, Southard and Ramtown elementary schools, Southard Fire Department, Howell First Aid Squad, Rainbow World, Christ Church, Prince of Peace Church and Church of the Master.
Ornstein thanked everyone who contributed to the giveaway.
"People have been extremely generous," she said. "They continue to do it year after year, and without them, it just couldn't happen."
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