Sheriff Peter Corvelli and the Union County Sheriff’s Office Tree of Hope committee would like to thank members of the Bayway Refinery Alliance for their continued support and generosity. On Wednesday, December 21st Bayway refinery alliance members delivered 2 truck loads of toys to be distributed this holiday season to less-than-fortunate children across our county.
The Tree of Hope is a non-profit organization run by Lieutenant Tara Halpin and several Union County Sheriff’s Officers. The Tree of Hope started in 1997 when Sheriff Officers encountered children in the courts who were going to experience a less than-happy holiday season.
The children were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence, or were medically fragile. Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts. Every year since, the Tree of Hope committee has set up a tree in the Union County Superior Courthouse in Elizabeth, which features ornaments with a wish for a particular gift for each child. In addition to the tree, the organization has also established online wish lists, through Amazon and Walmart that are filled with new toys the participating children requested.
Due to the generosity of Union County employees and several organizations who have donated to the program, the organization provides toys to several hundred children every holiday season.
In addition to the annual toy drive, the Tree of Hope organization has hosted several clothing drives to assist families in financial need, the homeless in Union County, and victims of house fires.
For additional information please contact the organization at 908-629-2158 or email Lieutenant Tara Halpin at thalpin@ucnj.org.