The spirit of Christmas arrived at St. Aloysius Parish a bit early this year, as the staff and parishioners of the Jackson faith community united in three service projects to benefit the surrounding area. During the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the parish came to the aid of hundreds of area residents with donations totaling over $140,000.

The trio of events began in early November as grocery bags with shopping lists were distributed at Masses in preparation for the annual parish Thanksgiving Dinner Drive. The parking lot of the church resembled a well-oiled assembly line Nov. 22 as many hands worked in unison to coordinate all donations and pickups during a three-hour time period. Project leader John Murphy, in charge of the program for many years, led the group with the assistance of his successor Jim Gulder.

Over 140 volunteers, including youth group members and entire families, joined forces in the philanthropic program. Dominican Sister Eileen Ivory, parish pastoral care coordinator, stated, “My heart is always filled with such joy as I see the outpouring of assistance from our parishioners who, year after year, continue to astound with their generosity”.  

In total, St. Aloysius Parish volunteers assembled 880 dinners to feed about 4,000 people. Two hundred of the dinners were given to families in Jackson, while the rest were donated to local area food pantries for distribution to other families in need. 

Once the last turkey drumstick was consumed, the parish Adopt-a-Family program swung into high gear. Beginning the first week of December, the parish compiled a list of local families with the help of their St. Vincent de Paul Society. Parishioners were invited to adopt a family and buy gifts for its members, in some cases, the only gifts they might receive during the season.

Wrapped gifts were transported to the parish office, where St. Aloysius pastor, Father John Bambrick, and staff distributed them to local families in need. The anonymous good-will gesture resulted in 244 families of every denomination receiving Christmas presents from 350 generous parishioners.

Art Kliemisch, president of the parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul, sees the families’ need first hand. He noted, “I continue to be astounded at the generosity and kindness of our parishioners. Year after year they come to the aid of these families in need, and go above and beyond what is asked of them.” 

The parish’s annual giving tree project, which benefits Providence House, Ocean County, and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, Long Branch, was also a resounding success with over 500 gifts collected for local children.