“Tara’s Happy Boxes,” cigar boxes filled with toys, socks, stuffed animals and other treats, are spreading joy across the Cape, the region and abroad.
The boxes are the inspiration of Tara Scioli, a retired Ocean City police officer who found herself isolated from those she loved during the pandemic. It all started with a conversation with her grandson, Cayden, and soon the idea of joy-filled boxes aimed at kids in need became a bona fide nonprofit business, with thousands of boxes handmade and shipped by Scioli and her team.
The idea stemmed from a hand-painted cigar box Scioli converted into a purse and brought one day to dinner. It received attention from restaurant employees, and the idea soon morphed into decorated boxes, like the purse, filled with goodies for her grandchildren.
“I found a couple of cigar boxes in our basement … I filled them with little prizes, books, etc., for my grandchildren,” she said. “We got to talking about how every child needs a ‘Happy Box.’
“Cayden then said, ‘Like sick children, Mom Mom?’ That was it, that was the moment.”
She made roughly 200 Happy Boxes under her newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit during their first Christmas. Scioli’s nephew worked for AtlantiCare, and thanks to her connection, emergency room staff were equipped with the boxes to relieve stress felt by kids dealing with some of the most difficult days of their lives.
Scioli said: “We set up a meeting for the people in charge of the AtlantiCare clinic in Atlantic City and their behavioral health building in Egg Harbor Township, where they called them coping boxes. Their young patients were struggling since the pandemic, so their counselors would grab a box even during the middle of the night when a child was in crisis. Immediately, the boxes lowered the atmosphere and brought peace to the child.”
Her success at AtlantiCare encouraged her to find other organizations that could use the help. She introduced the idea to local police departments using connections she made during her time in the police force. In October 2024, Atlantic City’s police department started giving Happy Boxes to kids who needed a dose of cheer.
The idea has since spread far and wide. Tara’s Happy Boxes Nonprofit is close to donating 4,000 Happy Boxes to more than 15 organizations helping children locally, nationally and even in South Africa via the Jehovah Jireh Children’s Home.
Her nonprofit has made a significant commitment to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Scioli said that she and her small team, which includes her husband and many of her friends, will produce 8,000 boxes for clubs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“We were even lucky enough to have the Philadelphia Phillies and other sports teams donate memorabilia,” she said.
Scioli sees a bright future for the Happy Boxes, and hopes the nonprofit will grow further. “We have been blessed that something organically grown has captured the hearts of so many people who believe in us and keep us going,” she said.
To learn more about the project or to help, visit the nonprofit’s Facebook page at Tara’s Happy Boxes Nonprofit.
