PEI Kids' October E-newsletter

Monthly E-newsletter October 2015

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary year, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Here's what's happening at PEI Kids...

Eagle Scout Coordinates Toy Drive for PEI Kids

Jake Cseremsak and Roslyn Dashiell

with 75 toys donated through

Jake's Eagle Scout project.

Over the summer, Jake Cseremsak, a member of Eagle Scout Troop 1776, coo rdinated the donation of over 75 toys to PEI Kids by setting up toy collection stations a t Hopewell Municipal Building and Starbucks in Pennington.

Eagle Scouts are required to complete a project which demonstrates the scout's leadership and has benefit to the community. Inspired by the community support received through this initial effort, Jake is hoping to coordinate the donation of 200 more toys to PEI Kids by the end of the year.

"The children we serve are often experiencing the most difficult times in their lives," says PEI Kids' Executive Director Roslyn Dashiell. "And receiving a gift can sometimes be the welcoming gesture that makes them feel safe, valued, and appreciated. Thank you, Jake, for your thoughtful support of these kids."

Community members are encouraged to make a toy donation at one of Jake's donation stations to support his project and the many children PEI Kids serves each year. As the toys are meant as gifts for the children in our programs, we must request only new toys please.

Jake currently has toy collection stations set-up at the Starbucks at Mercer Mall (through early October), Twirl Toy Shop in Pennington (through October 31st), and St. George Greek Ortho dox Church in Hamilton (through Thanksgiving). Jake will also have a toy collection station at Hopewell Valley Central High School through the end of October.

You're Invited!

Join Us for Our 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting Event

On Friday, October 23rd, PEI Kids will host its 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting Event from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Landmark Aviation located at Trenton-Mercer Airport. The evening will feature food and wine from local restaurants and vendors, as well as collectible and exotic cars and aircraft on display.

Attendance at last year's event more than doubled to over 350 community members; and this year over 500 guests are expected to be in attendance! All proceeds will support PEI Kids' programs and services which benefit over 14,000 Mercer County children each year.

To purchase your event tickets or become an event sponsor, please click here . For more information, contact Jesse Elliot at 609-695-3739 or [email protected] .

CJOOS Program Strengthened by Recent Grants

In September, PEI Kids' Comprehensive Juvenile Offender Outreach
Services (CJOOS) program received generous support from PSEG Foundation and Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund, Inc. Thanks to this support, the CJOOS program will be able to help steer hundreds of at-risk teens away from lives of crime and toward safe and productive futures.

"PSEG Foundation and Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund, Inc. have been faithful supporters of the CJOOS program," says PEI Kids' Executive Director Roslyn Dashiell. "Both funders recognize how important the CJOOS program is to building safe and healthy communities, and we are so very grateful for their ongoing support in helping young people turn their lives around."

To learn more about the CJOOS program, click here.

Get Involved: Volunteer at the 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting Event

We are looking for volunteers to assist with our 10th Annual Wine & Food Tasting on the day of the event The event will be held on October 23rd from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Landmark Aviation located at Trenton-Mercer Airport. We will need assistance with raffle ticket sales, registration, vendor support, and event set-up and clean-up.

If you are interested in volunteering at our Wine & Food Tasting event, contact Jesse Elliot at [email protected] or 609-695-3739.

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