Fifteen children from eight different families identified by the Linda & Rudy Slucker NCJW/Essex Center for Women attended a very special shopping event on Sun., Dec. 11, at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Union. Sponsored by Joyal Capital Management Foundation, Inc., the “$100 for 100” event helps young people in need during the holidays and gives them the opportunity to shop with a generous gift of a $100 gift card. Children enjoyed hot chocolate and donuts while shopping for sporting equipment, clothing, ice skates, boots, and hundreds of other items throughout the store.

The “$100 for 100” began at a single store in 2008 and has grown to be an interactive community giving event which has expanded to 12 states and benefits more than 12,000 children each year. At each event, the Joyal Foundation provides gift cards to 100 children in need who have been nominated by members of the community or community agencies.

NCJW/Essex was included as a partner organization thanks to Matthew Stadtmauer of Summit, the state’s Lead Volunteer for “$100 for 100.”  Stadtmauer’s mother, Trudy Elwood, was an active member of NCJW/Essex and impressed upon him the importance of the organization’s advocacy work for women, children and families.

The NCJW/Essex Center for Women, which offers career services, computer classes, workshops for women and support programs, was honored to partner with the Joyal Foundation for the second year in a row.

“The generosity of the Joyal Foundation is truly inspiring,” comments Patty Kremen, Career Services manager at the NCJW. “It is wonderful to see how much joy it brings to children and families. Parents are able to grant wishes to their children and children feel exhilarated and empowered to be able to choose the items they really want.”