Delbarton Campus Ministry Program brings Christmas Joy to 758 children

On Sunday, December 15, 2019 the Delbarton Campus Ministry Program distributed multiple toys to 758 children from 278 families who are registered in Catholic Family &Community Service Programs. Gifts were also given to 25 families from the Babies and Me program at Straight and Narrow. All the families left with large bags full of toys.

Sister Maureen Sullivan, Director of CFCS Volunteer and Community Outreach, said, “Delbarton out did themselves in generosity and caring that made every aspect of the event from set up to distributing the toys to closure of the day so special for all involved. They are truly a blessing and a wonderful experience of bringing the love of God and the Christmas spirit to so many. All our hearts were all brightened by the joy and happiness of giving and receiving that filled the whole event and made Merry and Blessed Christmas for all.”


Delbarton’s Campus Ministry Program annually helps children of CFCS families at Christmas. This year they brought over 2,000 individual toys so that every child selected at least 2 items and also selected a small stuffed animal. Every family got a soccer or basketball. Delbarton’s Dr. David Hajduk, Director of Campus Ministry and Dr. Jonathan Cote, coordinator of the toy drive with the Delbarton Mothers Logistics and Planning Team of Sharon Tompkins, Rebecca Van Volkenbuerg, Diane Brady, and Kathy Hager coordinated their Delbarton drive. Sister Maureen Sullivan coordinated the CFCS portion of the staff and activities.

Mr. Joe Albarelli, from Amloid toys and a Delbarton alum, donated an additional 2,500 toys. Each child got to pick 3 toys from the Amloid group in addition to the Delbarton toys. Mr. Albarelli came on Sat. with his young nephew Sam to help with unloading the truck. Sam is the son of Al Albarelli, Joe’s brother, who died in a tragic fall two years ago. The toys are donated in Al's memory. Joe came back on Sunday with his wife and his sister in law, Shannon, the widow of Al and her two boys. CFCS is deeply grateful to the Albarelli family for their caring and generosity.

The event activities started on Friday afternoon, when CFCS maintenance staff, Chris Moschau and Fernando Sanchez, moved the dividers from FECC to S/N as well as the bags and supplies needed for the toys.

On Sat. Dec. 14, the Delbarton moms, dads and students came to organize the tables, registration area and toy distribution sites for Sunday. They were assisted by CFCS staff and volunteers along with 20 teenagers from the Paterson Police youth program with their supervisors helped unload the 2,500 toys from Amloid. (CFCS is working with this police program to help youth who might otherwise land in the court system.) They were great workers and when the youth finished at S/N, they all went back to the FECC food pantry to stock shelves. Straight and Narrow also had some volunteers to help move the tables and chairs.

On Sunday, Dr. Hajduk, Dr. Cote and the Moms’ committee, Delbarton volunteers along with CFCS staff Chris Moschou, Fernando Sanchez and Woody Lawrence (Security) and CFCS volunteers arrived early to set up refreshments for the children who were coming as well as for the workers and students . All of this was provided by Delbarton. At 9:30 about 70 Delbarton boys and 25 parents arrived with the big Delbarton tractor trailer and unloaded all their gifts. These were presorted by boys and girls and ages from one to seventeen. The gifts were all displayed attractively for the children.

The CFCS team included, Delia Rosario, Laura Zarife and Michele Zarife, program directors: staff members; and CFCS volunteers from El Mundo Del Nino, El Mundo De Colores, Father English Youth programs in Paterson and Passaic and the Food Pantry to staff the reception tables and check in each family. Some provided security and family control at the entrance.

After being checked in, each family had cookies and juice. Then they received a large plastic bag and were escorted by two Delbarton boys (elves) to their respective age and gender tables to select two gifts for each child. Their eyes were wide at the wonderful choices they had.

Next, each child selected a stuffed animal and each family chose a soccer or basketball. Finally each child could pick 3 toys from the Amloid program which included such items as fully stocked kitchens and workshops, Tonka trucks with attachments, Crayola building blocks, doll carriages and other large items.

By 3 pm the last family had checked in and the remaining items were packed up to be sent back to CFCS and distributed to families in need who could not come. The remaining Amloid toys (about 600) were split between CFCS and S/N.

The Delbarton team and CFCS maintenance, staff and volunteers collected all the items including the room dividers to go back to the Father English Center and put the room back in order. CFCS removed as many of the collapsed cardboard boxes as would fit in the CFCS dumpster and maintenance returned on Monday to collect the rest of the cardboard boxes.

It was an uplifting day filled with the spirit of generosity, care and hard work on the part of Delbarton and CFCS is deeply grateful. The Delbarton team is truly a well-organized, generous and caring team. CFCS is also grateful for the support, hard work and generosity of Bob Jacob CEO of CFCS, CFCS leadership, staff and volunteers.

CFCS thanks Angela Nikolovski and S/N for accommodating the event and rearranging their staff and program schedules to make the Great Hall available to CFCS for Sat. and Sunday. After the S/N fire, all of the clothing distribution for S/N clients was moved to the Fr. English Community Center, where the Delbarton event has been held annually. A new venue was needed and Straight and Narrow offered their hall. CFCS is especially appreciative of Rosanna Rosas (Rosie), S/N administrative assistant. Rosie was a big help through the planning and all day on Sat. and Sunday. Thanks to Fr. Willie Naughton for getting volunteers for Sat morning. CFCS want to thank all the S/N staff for their help, patience and cooperation.

It was a truly magical day!