GIBBSTOWN/GREENWICH, NEW JERSEY – In an end of the year charity drive twin sisters, Shannon and Kaity Hresko of Nehaunsey Middle School in Greenwich Township, presented 71 stuffed animals, mostly teddy bears, to the Southern Region of the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) to give to children in foster care in Camden and Gloucester Counties. The event at Nehaunsey Middle School also aided in the recruitment of foster parents.

The Hresko sisters, members of Nehaunsey Middle School’s student council, and their advisor enlisted the help of the elementary school to collect teddy bears, which are the foster care symbol, but also got a lion, dog, cat and rabbits. The stuffed animals were collected to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month and were presented to representatives from the Southern Region of DYFS.

“We are very proud of these community-minded young people, who are not only giving children in foster care something to hold onto and love, but also helping us recruit foster parents,” stated Denise Smith, statewide foster care recruitment coordinator for DHS.

This is the second set of twin sisters in New Jersey to reach out to children in foster care this year. In January, Red Bank Regional High School twins Amanda and Katy Trotter, along with best friend Laura Orsini, collected and donated 255 teddy bears to Monmouth County children in foster care.

The Hresko sisters and 18 other student council members attended the event along with student council advisors, Janice Spoto and Cathy Seacrist, assistant principal Suzanne Gibson, and Camden Central District Office caseworker Meghann Markegene, all from Gibbstown. Resource Development Specialist from the Gloucester District Office Marvella Ross of Wenonah, as well as Gwenette Hillman of Camden and Alicia Glenn of Willingboro, both Foster Care Recruiters from the Southern Regional Office – Foster Home Unit, also attended.

The end of year drive not only donated teddy bears but also helped to get the recruitment message out to the Gibbstown community. Alicia Glenn set up a foster care recruitment display table and spoke briefly about recruitment, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Foster Parent Recognition Month. During a twenty-minute ceremony both schools received framed certificates of appreciation.

Due to the success of the drive, student council advisor Janice Spoto plans to continue the drive next year over a longer period of time.