Help Holiday Express Fill 27K Gift Bags For Those in Extreme Need

Holiday Express delivers the gift of human kindness by visiting the mentally ill, the homeless, the hungry, the physically challenged and many others each Christmas season.

Tim McLoone's non-profit Holiday Express helps those who are desperately in need, often forgotten and least-visited.

This season it's more important than ever to give them gifts of things they really need, so here's how you can help.

Holiday Express is filling duffel bags with items that are brand new:

-- Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, bars of soap, lotion, body wash, baby lotion, deoderant, lip balm)

-- Washcloths

-- Adult-sized crew socks

-- Warm/wintery items (hats, scarves, gloves)

-- Fun surprises (stuffed animals, baseball hats, crayons/coloring books, candy)

The Holiday Express warehouse is located at 151 Industrial Way East, Building A, Suite 4, in Eatontown. Make sure to call to arrange a drop-off time: 732-544-8010. Or email info@holidayexpress.org

Monetary donations are always graciously accepted: CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

This year Holiday Express, which has amassed about 2,500 volunteers through the years (including 150 musicians) will have to kick off its 28^ht season in a very different way. Instead of visiting the facilities live, they will virtually deliver their famous rock n’ soul holiday party to more than 100 locations throughout the tri-state area.

Meanwhile Holiday Express elves, costume characters, and maybe even Santa himself will continue to safely deliver the much-needed gift bags, filled with everyday essential items that go to the 27,000 people they visit each year.

It remains the mission of Holiday Express to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Just a few of those who will receive gift bags and a virtual visit from Holiday Express this year are: Ladacin Network, Mental Health Association, Children’s Center of Monmouth County, Easter Seals, Vineland Developmental Center, St. John’s Soup Kitchen, Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, and Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

Most of the groups that Holiday Express visits are more vulnerable than ever because of the pandemic. Yet the dedication of the Holiday Express staff and volunteers remains strong.

Photo of Tim McLoone at a Holiday Express giving event, photo courtesy of Krista Newbert.

The energy-filled, rocking holiday party, led by Holiday Express founder Tim McLoone, was professionally recorded in the Holiday Express warehouse and will be distributed to the organizations so they can view it in a safe and enjoyable way. Tim says,

“While the 2020 season might not look and feel as it has in the past, we felt this was the best way to keep our commitment to those who have come to depend on us, while protecting the safety of those we visit and our volunteers."

While Holiday Express cannot have a packed warehouse full of volunteers this season to assemble the gift bags, there are still ways that you can help Holiday Express help others including:

-- Adopt An Event where you pick your favorite organization that Holiday Express “visits” and make a monetary donation to offset expenses for gift bags, food, a giving partner gift and much needed items for that particular charity. Adopting an Event starts at $5,000 for small and local events. You may also make a financial contribution to support gift bags, transportation or other costs associated with an event.

-- Collection Drives: You arrange to collect needed items for Holiday Express gift bags and then arrange a time to safely drop off all of the items at theiwarehouse. Remember that all items must be new.

You can also shop directly on Smile Amazon (please select Amazon Smile and choose Holiday Express as your charity of choice) and have everything delivered directly to Holiday Express.

For more info on Holiday Express CLICK HERE.