Wyckoff Family Runs Communion Apparel Drive

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch by reader Lazara Valentin. Submit your letters to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. 

Patch,

My daughters (aged 15 and 9) and I started a Communion apparel collection here in Wyckoff.

We are collecting for St. Anthony's of Padua in Passaic, both boys and girls apparel, shoes, and accessories like veils and gloves. Some families in that parish are struggling with necessities and have a hard time being able to afford purchasing special apparel for that day.

Since we live in such a blessed area with families that spend hundreds of dollars on the outfit, and the parties afterward, I began to think of children that are not so lucky and I wanted to make that day a little more blessed for them. 

We are parishioners at St. Elizabeth's Church in Wyckoff.

Victoria is 15 and a Freshman at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, and Lily is a 4th grader in Wyckoff. 

In talking about what we've done in the past as a family to help, we saw that communities often come together fundraising for major catastrophies and basic needs. Afterwards, communities still struggle through providing for and participating in special or daily events that others think nothing of b/c they have always had the resources to purchase both necessities and small luxuries.

We have received some items that are unusable because they are stained or other damaged. In sharing this with a local business leader, St. Anthony's will be receiving a donated check in the amount of $500 towards the purchase of new communion apparel for these children in need.

Our collection of clean, gently used, or new boys and girls communion apparel will be continuing through the end of March. Gift cards and checks are welcome, as well as retail store donations. Contact Lvalentin@aol.com for drop off or pick up possibilities. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communionapparel

Warm Regards,
Lazara Valentin