The Easter Basket Drive of Northern New Jersey was born out of a simple desire to do something for the homeless children.
Sixteen years ago Maria Koukoularis wanted to do something for children living in the homeless shelters in New Jersey. Easter, the day celebrated to remember the resurrection of Jesus seemed to be the perfect day to instill hope in these little ones. This initiative that was started in 2001 grew over the past sixteen years.
When Kouloularis started the initiative, she collected money from friends and made 150 Easter baskets for the little ones. However, now it has grown and there are many volunteers pitching in their support in this thoughtful initiative. This year witnessed 3000 Easter baskets in the community room of the Woodland Park borough hall. On Easter, the baskets will be offered to kids living in shelters in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Morris and Sussex counties.
The Easter basket will include things like crayons to draw, books to read, toys and games to play.
During this national event, people around the place donate candy, and other sweet treats to the drive for the homeless living in these shelters. Over the years, schools like Morris Knolls High School also donated to this drive making the initiative bigger and bigger every year.
Maria says that there are children in need, and our children should be aware of other children in need. Her goal is to make her own daughter also aware of the needs of the children. In fact, Julia Romas, her 6 year old daughter is one of her volunteer.
In 2015, Koukoularis was honored for her thoughtful initiative during a Woodland Park Borough Council meeting.
Her drive has changed the dynamics of Easter in the North Jersey area. The drive is just growing bigger and more and more children and adults are doing their bit to support these children who need help.
