The generosity of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President’s Grant Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation will greatly help us to further our mission of helping those in need!

119 children and their families were our guests for a day of fun, music, games, crafting, lunch, hot chocolate station, haircuts and a family portrait.  Thanks to all the wonderful sponsors (see shineandinspire.org for the list), each child went home with a coat, hat, gloves, underwear, socks, shoes, clothing and something from their holiday wish list. So many other people to thank, it takes a village:

• The amazing Shine & Inspire board who made it all happen – Donna Powell, Karen McLaughlin, Sharon Evanko, Mary Jane Rossi, Nawaz Merchant and Carol Stolow!
• The fantastic volunteers, both new and those who keep coming back we appreciate you! We had a record number of young people this event, so proud to see a sense of helping the community start in our youth!
• Our volunteers who helped with the children’s shopping Karen Jacko, Linda Petrocelli, Margaret Conrad, Robin Schoonmaker, Pat Sedmak, Suzanne Beckman, Rosanne Pickell, Diane Coleman, Paula Matsiak, Fay Sagotsky, Blanche Forker, Sweta Patel, Karen McLaughlin and Donna Powell!
• The Civil Air Patrol in their uniform finest who had air simulator games and air patrol crafts – these young people are such an inspiration to the children!
• Photographer Doe’Rain Deane who took family portraits that were just beautiful!
• Photographer Isabela Ertel who took pictures of the event, so wonderful!
• Our amazing stylist Carlee Mooney who gave haircuts and added hair tinsel  (she was busy)!
• Maureen from Dancemaur Company who kept the music, dancing and games going!
• Book Smiles for all the wonderful books!
• New Jersey Weddings and Events for all the wonderful food – Antonio, Beth, Joann and team who are the best!!!
• The amazing Kari who made balloon characters for the children while up on stilts!
• Lala & Mimi’s Pajama Project that gave pajamas to every child!
• Central Paint and KK Sweets who donated the cookies (and supplies) for our cookie decorating craft table, and cupcakes for dessert!
• VIP Very Important Parties who donated the festive balloon arch!
• Emily and Justine, our princess volunteers whom the children just loved!
• Connor and his dad from the Hamilton A’s who helped unload and setup the event!
• Our knitting and crocheting volunteers who made hats and blankets for the children!

Danielle won the 24-25 Klockner Elementary’s Spirit of the Community Award, which honors stakeholders who make outstanding contributions to the school. This includes leading or supporting projects, inspiring others through ongoing commitment, and positively impacting students, staff, and families to promote academic success, growth, and community connection.

Shine and Inspire is so grateful that she is one of our Community Partners, also graciously hosts our breakfast meetings and is one of our Closet Collection Sites!

What a special place – you can feel the joy from the staff and residents. Thank you to Holly O’Brien and the CareOne team and residents!

76 children and their families were our guests for a day of fun, music, games, crafting, lunch, ice cream and haircuts. They went home with a bag filled with shoes, pajamas, books, lunch boxes, beach towels, reusable water bottles, activity books and fun toys and games. So many people to thank:

• The amazing Shine & Inspire board who made it all happen – Donna Powell, Mary Jane Rossi, Sharon Evanko, Nawaz Merchant, Carol Stolow and Karen McLaughlin!
• The people and organizations who donated items for the children’s bags, it will keep them smiling and busy over the Summer!
• The fantastic volunteers, both new and those who keep coming back we appreciate you! We love how more and more young people join us each event – we love to see a sense of helping the community start with our youth!
• The Civil Air Patrol had air simulator games and air patrol crafts – the children were in awe of them in their uniforms (we were too, such impressive young people)!
• Our amazing stylists Victoria and Nicole who cut children’s hair all day! When we asked one child what his favorite part of the day was, he said it was his cool hair cut!
• Penny and Ken Bedrick who kept the music, dancing and games going!
• Book Smiles for all the wonderful books!
• New Jersey Weddings and Events for all the wonderful food and Beth and Joann and team who are the best!!! Our thanks to Antonio from Blend Bar & Bistro for donating ice cream!
• The amazing Kari who made balloon characters for the children while up on stilts!
• Lala & Mimi’s Pajama Project that gave pajamas to every child!
• Alexis, our Belle princess volunteer whom the children just loved!
• While our volunteers from the Hamilton A’s organization have graduated high school, Dennis and his son AJ came back to help set up. We were so grateful, there is so much to do in a short period of time!
• Caesar’s Bagels & Deli who donated bagels for each family to take home!
• Eat Gud bakery who donated a delicious, “summer fun” cake!