Serving the community since 1984

The Christmas Holiday Season is a joyous time of year for most people.  But it is an especially lonely and hard time for people with no home, no job, no family and no friends, or those close to losing them.  Our Client Christmas Party is our small effort to try to provide some tangible and relief to those clients who received assistance from us during this past 12 months.

Participants give of themselves by giving something to the children, women, and men who are in desperate need of clothing, food, and shelter that will help them share with us the Joy of the Holiday Season.

Their Christmas presents for the homeless, near homeless, or working poor family or individual, persons recovering from addictions, people living with HIV/AIDS and others will not change their circumstances, but it will show them that someone cares.  Your Christmas presents and volunteered time and materials make a difference in the lives of those in need.  It will also make a difference in your life.  You and the clients who receive your gifts are united with each other in God's Love.  In the past your generous donations allowed us make Christmas a little brighter for 28, 883 people including; 8161 boys, 7985girls, 6457 women and 6280 men.

We extend our prayers and best wishes to the faith communities, corporations, organizations and individuals that helped make this past season a joyous one for many.  We also wish to thank the many individuals who gave of their time, treasure and talent to help make this service a great success.

Donations and presents received, sorted, labeled and presented to the homeless, near homeless, working poor, alcohol/substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, Galley (soup kitchens) and Mobile Soup Kitchens guests and clients.  These include families and individuals throughout the Somerset County region, including Central New Jersey .  SHIP also helps people in need in Hunterdon, Union , Middlesex and Monmouth counties during the Holiday Season.

We are hold two separate parties, one for adults with children and the other for single adults without children.

If you, your congregation, organization, corporation or club is interested in participating in SHIP's Annual Client Christmas Party, please contact SHIP at 908-725-3260.

Client Christmas Party Needs List  CLICK HERE

q       Caroler’s to sing songs for our guests before and during Santa's arrival.  Must be able to focus on singing at the appropriate times and not be distracted by the excitement and goings-on.

q       Santa in costume to help distribute gifts to the children and parents. (If you can provide the costume or donate one  that would be great)

q       Elves will help entertain the guests and help keep the site neat and clean. (you bring your own costume)

q       Gift unwrapping.  Experience has shown that we need to see the gift in order to match them with client needs.  Please do not wrap them. 

q       Gift Sorters will help select, bag and tag the gifts for our guests.  This happens the two days preceding the actual party.  You need to schedule your volunteer time with Tom.  This usually takes place between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on the days preceding the party.  The most active day being the first day of picking and packing.  (Ton's of fun being Santa, Distributing the pre-packed bags of gifts to those in need)

q       Greeters to welcome the guests to the party.

q       Merry makers ‑ Music, Games, Face Painters, Etc to entertain our guests at the party.

q       Set up Crew members to help prepare the site for the party.

q       Refreshment Crew members will help prepare and serve refreshments to our guests.

q       Clean up Crew members will help leave the site cleaner than we found it after the party.  (most important and appreciated)

TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY IN THE BATTLE AGAINST POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, ABANDONMENT, NEGLECT AND MORE - ENLIST AND JOIN ONE OF OUR CREWS CLICK HERE