Founded by restaurateur Tim McLoone, Holiday Express is an organization comprised of 1,300 volunteers—and 80 or more professional musicians—that travel throughout the Tri-State area delivering music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to adults and children who are physically and mentally disabled, living with AIDS or homeless.
On November 11, members of the Ranney School student body, including 25 Upper School students, visited Holiday Express headquarters located in Tinton Falls. During their field trip, students helped organize the warehouse and assembled "gift bags" – Holiday Express is aiming to provide 15,000 "gift bags" to those in need this year. In addition, Ranney's brownie troop, consisting of students grades two through five, traveled to Holiday Express headquarters to donate bags of Halloween candy to the group.
"Our dedicated staff members at Ranney encourage students to abide by the school's motto of 'Knowledge, Vision, Honor,' and give back through service to the community," said Head of School, Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff. "We are extremely proud of the dedication of our students, parents, and alumni as we embrace this season of giving."
With the help of student-volunteers, the Ranney School Parents' Association held a bazaar known as the "Snowflake Market" on December 2 and 3, donating $2,000 of all proceeds to the philanthropic organization. The Ranney community, driven by the Ranney School Parents' Association, is also working to collect three items on the Holiday Express' wish list this season.
Students across Ranney's Upper, Middle and Lower School divisions are combining creativity and hard work in an effort to collect socks, toothbrushes and scarves for those in need. So far, the Lower School has collected more than 500 scarves, toothbrushes and socks, whereas the Upper School has collected more than 200 items from the list. Although it has already received over 1,000 pairs of socks from within the Ranney community, the Middle School division will continue its collection at a "New York Sock Exchange" dance on Friday, December 10. During the event, students will have the option to pay a $10 admissions fee, or bring a 3-pack (or more) of adult crew socks and instead pay $5 to enter the dance.
Holiday Express is one of many organizations that Ranney School students are supporting. Children will also send greeting cards and letters to hospitals and members of the armed services through the American Red Cross, and donate holiday gifts through Toys for Tots and the Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park this season. Whether hosting a holiday concert and selling merchandise to raise money for charity, donating items to those in need, or submitting holiday cards and letters to hospitals and soldiers, Ranney School, a premier independent institution providing 50 years of academic excellence throughout southern New Jersey, continues its long tradition of supporting the community throughout the year.
Founded in 1960 and serving more than 800 boys and girls, from Beginners (age 3) through grade 12, Ranney School is an independent, college preparatory day school located in historic Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Under its motto "Knowledge, Vision, Honor," Ranney School strives to provide an exceptional academic experience in which every child is known and valued. It emphasizes modern methods of instruction, small class sizes and traditional educational values. Ranney is hosting an Open House on its campus January 8, 2011. For more information, please visit www.ranneyschool.org.
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