Collected Toys, ‘Stuff’ Will Help 25 Children

NORTH CAPE MAY – Twenty-five children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault got an opportunity to take their mind off the trauma with toys and other summertime supplies donated for their use through the efforts of two sisters. 
Alyssa Rosenberger, 16, and sister Hailey, 10, collected “hundreds of things,” including body boards, toys, sunblock, a toy tricycle and baby food for the children of families helped by the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse (CARA).
The girls wanted to “add a splash of fun” to the summers of those children and decided to seek donations throughout the county.
“It takes some effort to do the collection, but people are really generous and want to help, especially when they know it’s for kids,” said Hailey. “There was even a family who donated their collection of Hess trucks. The kids wanted other children to have them to play with; that was really cool.”
“It felt fabulous to help kids in our community,” noted Alyssa. “We didn’t expect to collect so many items; there were hundreds of things. Our aunt’s garage was filled with stuff. We had fun seeing all the different items that the community donated. It made me feel good to help people.”
Nikki Nichols, CARA director of Community and Volunteer Relations, on seeing the donation, was “So amazed at everyone’s generosity. The girls did such an amazing job with their fundraiser. Their passion for helping those in need really showed through their hard work and dedication.”
Some of the favorite toys donated, according to Nichols, were “boogie boards,” water balloons, swim noodles and sand castle building supplies.
“These toys mean a lot to the recipients,” Nichols said. “These toys and summertime supplies give our survivors and victims a chance to take their mind off of the trauma they and their children may be going through. These donated items provide the children who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault an outlet to have fun and express themselves through play and different activities.
“These donations also allow for our clients to spend monies on other needs of the family instead of summer things,” she said.
Some of the items were donated by members of the girls’ church, Cape May Lutheran, and the South Seaville United Methodist Church Thrift Shop.
“We would like to thank everyone who helped, it was really fun for us and even more fun for the kids of CARA,” Hailey said. 
“We would definitely do a donation drive again,” she added. “Helping others is nice and important.”
Anyone who wants to help CARA or volunteer with the agency should call Nichols at 609-522-6489.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.