SUSSEX, N.J., December 19, 2015 – The Christie Administration continued its Fifth Annual “Season of Service” today, as Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development helped prepare holiday packages with complete holiday dinners and gifts for more than 120 families.

On Friday, Commissioner Wirths and his family loaded dozens of hams into cars and trucks outside a local supermarket before heading to the Sussex United Methodist Church where volunteers packaged dinners and sorted gifts for needy families in Sussex County. The packages were distributed at the church on Saturday afternoon, in time for the holiday.

Everything was donated and made possible through the generosity of residents, businesses and local organizations throughout Sussex County.

Each holiday season, cabinet officials in the Christie Administration are active in a variety of charitable efforts, spending time volunteering and highlighting service opportunities through the end of December as part of the "Season of Service" initiative launched five years ago.

The Sussex Help Center, where Commissioner Wirths and his family traditionally volunteer their time, provides a variety of programs to needy Sussex and Wantage residents. Located in a storefront on Main Street in Sussex Borough, the center is funded through private donations from individuals, businesses and churches. The charity receives no federal, state or government assistance.

The center accepts non-perishable food donations, including canned vegetables, canned meals and fruit, gelatin, pudding, soup, sandwich spread, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, mayonnaise, canned meat, macaroni, spaghetti, sauce, rice, tea bags, powdered milk, and sugar-free food for diabetics. To find out more information about donating to the Sussex Help Center or if you know a family in need, please call (973) 702-1922.
                                               

Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce
Development carries donated gifts into Sussex United Methodist Church. Packages with
complete holiday dinners and gifts were distributed to more than 120 needy families
Saturday afternoon.

Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths (center), assisted by wife Debbie (far left) and store
employees, loading more than 100 hams into a truck at Weis Market in Franklin. The
hams were later packaged with dry goods to create complete holiday meals for needy
families in Sussex County.