Students host party for HomeFront

The Pennington School Peer Leaders pose with some of the toys collected in their December drive. Back row: Jahmir White, Zhongyuan Ma, Connor Donovan, Matthew Butler, Nicholas Gorab, advisor Rick Ritter, Gianna LaLota, and Erica Harris. Front row: Collette King, Teni Egbe, Jaclyn Moses, Hope MacKenzie, Katelyn Smolar, Devon Landis, Grant Lawlor, and advisor Erin O’Connell.

The Pennington School had its annual holiday party for HomeFront Dec. 15.

Over 360 guests from HomeFront attended the party. HomeFront’s mission is to help homeless families in centeral New Jersey become self sufficient.

Students, faculty and staff volunteered to serve food, entertain children and distribute gifts.

Prior to the party, senior peer leaders conducted a toy drive for the children of HomeFront. Parents had the opportunity to select a gift for their child and have it wrapped at the party. Children were also able to select a gift for their parents from items donated by Pennington faculty and others.

Pennington School alumna Celeste Murphy dressed as Frosty the Snowman, a role she has played since her student days.

“The families served by HomeFront continue to struggle during difficult economic times,” peer leader advisor Erin O’Connell said, “we are happy to be able to brighten the holiday season a bit, especially for the children.”

More information about HomeFront is online at homefrontnj.org.