Adopt-A-Family For Christmas With The Verona Juniors

The Junior Women's Club of Verona has begun its annual Adopt-A-Family wish tree event for the holiday season for local families in need.

The Verona Juniors have been holding the wish tree event for the past 20 years, said Verona Juniors president Kristen Donohue.

"The Juniors also provide grocery store gift cards a few times a year to these families as well," she said. "The Bunny Brunch that we hold in the Spring is the fundraiser that supports our Adopt-a-Family Department."

Children write down their Holiday wish list on a tree ornament which are then displayed around town.

Residents can walk in at any time, take a wish from the tree, purchase the gift, wrap it up and bring it back to the location where they got it. All gifts are anonymous, said Donohue.

“It's coordinated through the town for families that are in need,” said Carrie Moylan of the Verona Juniors. “The children submit their wishes and we display them on five trees in various business throughout town.”

The Verona Juniors will collect the gifts and give them to Verona Township who will then distribute the gifts to the local children just in time for the holidays.

Wish trees will be set up from Nov. 21 to Dec. 14 at:

• Pilgrim Diner, 82 Pompton Ave. in Cedar Grove.
• Nail Art II, 632 Bloomfield Ave. in Verona.
• DCH Montclair Acura, 100 Bloomfield Ave. in Verona.
• Verona Yoga and Wellness Center, 546 Bloomfield Ave. in Verona.
• Frank Anthony's Restaurant, 667 Bloomfield Ave. in Verona.

“I think it's important for the community for children to be able to participate and have something done for them that is selfless,” said Moylan.