Tri-M Families Support "Toys for Tots"

On a cold and windy Saturday morning, 18 Junior Tri-M Music Honor Society® students, parents and advisors met at Toys 'R' Us in Eatontown to support its annual "Shopping for Charity" event. Armed with calculators and eager to begin, Ranney's "elves" spent the morning of December 4th scanning shelves for toys, searching for bargains and tallying carts loaded with items that sang, could be played or just plain old looked like music. With the help of several Ranney parents who graciously donated their time (and cars), students then brought their gifts to the U.S. Marine Base of Lincroft for donation to the 2010 Toys for Tots campaign.

For the past two years, the Junior Tri-M's® "Shopping for Charity" event has raised funds through Middle School "Penny Wars." A "Penny War" is a competition that encourages students from each grade level to donate excess coins and dollars for the chance to win a dress-down day. Prior to Middle School “Penny Wars,” Junior Tri-M® raised money selling dress-down days and hosting movies. Various efforts through the years have allowed the Honor Society to donate over 300 toys to Toys for Tots since 2006. This year's fundraiser proved very successful. With an additional donation received from a parent "angel," the Honor Society managed to collect $1,600 for charity, and with this money, was able to purchase over 90 toys for less fortunate children.

For some students, this December served as their second consecutive year "Shopping for Charity." Split into shopping teams of four and armed with a $400 budget, students were asked to find toys within a $15 to $20 price-range. Within an hour, the Honor Society had four shopping carts filled with toys and proceeded to the check-out counter to make its purchase.

Next, it was off to Lincroft's Marine Base, where students unloaded cars, followed marine members to a storage area and packaged the toys for eventual distribution to children throughout Monmouth County. Although cold and wind-blown, the Ranney "elves" went on their merry way, happy to have helped brighten a child's life this holiday season. All in all, the day proved to be a fun, educational and uplifting experience for all involved.

Junior Tri-M Honor Society® advisor, Lillianne P. Torrente, gives a heartfelt "thank you" to parents and students who helped make this year's event a huge success. "Their overall support, generosity, goodwill and especially, humor, helped make the morning extra special for all," said Torrente. "I could not have done it without them, and I send my warmest wishes to each for a happy and healthy holiday season."