How to help those in need

• Maverick’s Legacy is hosting a toy drive in memory of Maverick Scott Chambers and to celebrate what would have been his second birthday. All toys collected will be delivered to Benny’s Bodega on Nov. 26 in time for local families to receive them this holiday season. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at R&T Nautilus Fitness Center, 190 Halsey Road, Newton.

• The Center for Prevention & Counseling is collecting toys to be distributed to children at a holiday party Dec. 2. Drop off new, unwrapped toys, arts and crafts, games, puzzles, sports equipment, action figures and more at Toyota World of Newton, Subaru World of Newton, Audi Newton, Volkswagen World of Newton, Newton Starbucks, the center’s main office at 61 Spring St., Newton, or the Sussex County Recovery Community Center, 65 Newton Sparta Road, Newton.

• Residents may drop off new unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots project at the Edward Jones office, 1A Main St., Sparta, during regular business hours through Dec. 8. Monetary gifts, including gift cards, cannot be accepted.

• Bring toys for Operation Toy Train to these locations Saturday, Dec. 9: Newfoundland Station, 1667 Green Pond Road, train arrives at 2:55 p.m., departs at 3:25 p.m.; Sparta Train Station, 30 Station Road, train arrives at 4 p.m., departs at 4:20 p.m.; and New Jersey Veterans’ Memorial Park, 50 Vernon Crossing Road, Vernon, train arrives at 4:50 p.m., departs at 5:30 p.m. In Sparta, toys also may be dropped off at the Sparta Station from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and noon to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

• All branches of the Sussex County Library System will be collecting toys for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive. Residents are encouraged to bring gift cards or new, unwrapped toys to the Dennis Library in Newton, Dorothy Henry branch in Vernon, Franklin Branch in Franklin, Main Branch in Frankford, Louise Childs branch in Stanhope or Sussex Wantage branch in Wantage during operating hours. Toys will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 14.

• Toys, gift cards and monetary donations for the Season of Hope Toy Drive also may be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill St., Newton, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

• The Junior Woman’s Club of Sparta presents Holiday Wish Trees to collect gifts for children in need. Drop off gifts through Dec. 15 at Sparta Publc Library, 22 Woodport Road, and Sparta Books, 29 Center St.; through Dec. 16 at Dennis Library, 101 Main St., Newton; and through Dec. 18 at Sussex County Community College, 1 College Hill Road, Newton. The gifts will go to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, where they are distributed to families based on need throughout the year.

• 14th annual “Sandyston Has Heart” fundraiser, sponsored by the Sandyston Township Historical Society in partnership with the Township Committee and Sandyston-Walpack School, runs through Dec. 22. Cash or check donations, made payable to the Historical Society, or gift cards in any amount may be dropped off at the Sandyston Municipal Building between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Donations are used to help local families and provide support to the food pantry at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Sandyston.

• Patchwork Pastures Animal Sanctuary in Wantage is accepting gently used and new gift items, home décor, crafts, toys, holiday items as well as ongoing bread donations. Call 973-222-5162 for an appointment to schedule a donation delivery. No books, clothes or linens needed. Also, through mid-December, Patchwork Pastures is accepting uncarved, non-inked non-painted pumpkins that would be used as animal feed. Donations may be dropped off in the field entrance on Lewisburg Road or at the main drive gate, 108 Route 565.

• Annual holiday toy drive collects new, unwrapped toys as well as monetary donations at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3320 Route 94, Hardyston. Continues into December. Toys may be dropped off at the church; at McAfee Hardware and Valley Paint & Hardware, both in Vernon; and at Tony’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant and Firehouse Bagels, both in Hardyston. Toy drive dedicated to the memory of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was killed in an ambush in September.

• The Sussex County Recovery Community Center hosts an annual Giving Back Tree project to support the Weekend Bag program. Donate nonperishable food items through the end of the year to aid the charity that sends food and hygiene items home with students who would otherwise be without. Drop off donations at the center, 65 Newton Sparta Road, Newton. On Friday, Jan. 12, volunteers will assemble the weekend bags.