MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
Nothing makes a kid smile more than unwrapping a present. During this season of giving, add a few extra toys to your virtual cart and give the gift of fun to kids in need for the holidays. One of these local toy drives is a good place to start: • The Bergen County Chanukah Toy Drive, now in its 30th year, is accepting new and unwrapped toys for boys and girls of all ages. Local Jewish schools and synagogues will have donation bins in their lobbies, or you can drop off at 95 Norfolk St. in Bergenfield now through Nov. 27. (Hanukkah this year begins on Dec. 7.) Learn more at bctoydrive.com. • Operation Toy Train is collecting donations for Toys for Tots, and will be in our area on Saturday, Dec. 9. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at various spots around Rochelle Park, Midland Park, Wyckoff and Oakland that have not been revealed as of press time. For specific drop-off locations, visit operationtoytrain.org as the date approaches. • The Police Benevolent Association Toy Drive year after year is a joint effort among police departments across Bergen County. For 2023, “Santa’s Response Team” is at it again— residents may drop off new, unwrapped toys at their local police or fire stations or other participating businesses. The toys will be distributed to children at Tomorrows Children’s Fund, Sanzari Children’s Hospital, The Valley Hospital Pediatric Center and U.S. military families. Follow @santasresponseteam_srt on Instagram for updates and drop-off locations in your neighborhood.
’TIS THE CRAFTING SEASON
ALMOST FAMOUS Renown has recently touched two Bergenites whose names you may recognize: • Rocco Commisso, Saddle River resident and CEO of Mediacom, has been named New Jersey’s richest man and one of the 400 richest Americans by Forbes. The money magazine says the 73-year-old Italian immigrant is worth an estimated $8 billion. • Maria Trice of Teaneck was among the contestants on ABC’s debut season of The Golden Bachelor. The 60-year-old self-proclaimed “health and wellness director” didn’t make it too far on the show, as bachelor Gerry Turner sent her home on the first episode. (You could say she was gone in a trice as he turned elsewhere.) But a brush with fame can’t hurt. BERGENMAG.COM
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It’s that time of the year when towns hold local holiday craft shows that both support local causes and help customers get through their gift-shopping lists. Here are four such shows on upcoming Sundays: • Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fall Boutique 2023 at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly • Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Craft Fair 2023 at Paramus High School, Paramus
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• Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cozy Craft Fair at New Milford-Teaneck Elks Lodge, New Milford • Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Joseph Craft Fair at St. Joseph Regional High School, Montvale
NOVEMBER 2023
10/18/23 12:22 PM