Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Branchville, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Branchville, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Branchville, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
BRANCHVILLE — The borough is once again showing off its creativity and seasonal spirit in preparation for the Branchville Scarecrow Contest this month.This fall marks the sixth consecutive year of the contest that asks residents and businesses to create scarecrow scenes using pumpkins, hay, a wooden support frame and a variety of props. Judging is set to take place in two weeks, with the winners announced at the Branchville Halloween Parade on Oct. 30.The ...
BRANCHVILLE — The borough is once again showing off its creativity and seasonal spirit in preparation for the Branchville Scarecrow Contest this month.
This fall marks the sixth consecutive year of the contest that asks residents and businesses to create scarecrow scenes using pumpkins, hay, a wooden support frame and a variety of props. Judging is set to take place in two weeks, with the winners announced at the Branchville Halloween Parade on Oct. 30.
The 2020 contest featured at least 150 scarecrows in 50 displays, said organizer Jeanne Heinke who anticipates this year's contest to be even bigger than last year's.
More teachers at Frankford Township School have signed their classes up to participate than ever before, and "regulars" including Broad Street Books, the Third Base Pub and dozens of residents are on board as usual, she said.
Three judges will be driven around Branchville on Sunday, Oct. 24, to select the top three displays and several honorable mentions. One resident will also be chosen as the People's Choice winner, which will be voted on by members of the Branchville Scarecrows Facebook page once all entries are submitted.
"It doesn't have to be the prettiest or the funniest; it's what hits you," Heinke said.
The results of the contest will be announced the following weekend at the Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Branchville Businessmen's Club.
The ever-expanding contest features some new additiions this year, including a separate "photobomb" contest organized by the Rotary Club of Branchville. Residents are invited to stand in scarecrow scenes on public property and submit photos to the club, whose members will pick their favorite.
In addition, Heinke said, the Branchville Fire Department is allowing non-borough residents to set up scarecrow displays on its property on a first-come, first-served basis. Those scenes will not be eligible for the contest.
The evolution of the scarecrow contest is something Heinke never could have imagined when it was introduced in 2016. Heinke and her husband, Brad, were inspired after vacationing in a Massachusetts town that held a similar contest, and the Branchville Borough Council quickly approved the idea after the Heinkes presented it.
The annual event has turned Branchville into a destination for out-of-area residents who want to check out the dozens of displays every October. Other Sussex County municipalities like Vernon and Franklin have started their own contests in recent years to join in on the fall fun.
"The more the merrier is how I look at it," Heinke said. "It's a happy time, and people seem to enjoy going with their kids...I just think it's a nice thing."
he tagline for The Barnyard in Branchville is “more than just awesome burgers,” so what else do they serve? Though it’s touted as a fast casual burger spot, the owners promise the menu offers something for everyone. In particular, you’ll also find chicken, empanadas, and more.The Barnyard Co-owner Amy Fiorentino says the 2,000-square-foot space has a “warm, welcoming, casual atmosphere with fun farm-style décor.” It seats 70 indoors, with additional seasonal outdoor seating beneath the covere...
he tagline for The Barnyard in Branchville is “more than just awesome burgers,” so what else do they serve? Though it’s touted as a fast casual burger spot, the owners promise the menu offers something for everyone. In particular, you’ll also find chicken, empanadas, and more.
The Barnyard Co-owner Amy Fiorentino says the 2,000-square-foot space has a “warm, welcoming, casual atmosphere with fun farm-style décor.” It seats 70 indoors, with additional seasonal outdoor seating beneath the covered front entrance area. Amy says the menu mixes “traditional and new American cuisine using the best quality and freshest ingredients possible.”
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At The Barnyard the most popular menu items are, of course, their burgers. For instance, their number-one seller is the Yard Burger (Certified Angus Beef served with lettuce, tomato, and onion). The MSD burger is also popular, which gets its name from another Branchville business, Milk Street Distillery. The Barnyard uses the Distillery’s “War Penny Bourbon” in the BBQ sauce for this burger; as well as bourbon candied bacon, crispy onion straws, and bleu cheese crumbles.
But if you’re not in the mood for a burger, don’t worry, their empanadas are crowd pleasers too. These hand-braided delights contain sweet or savory fillings like Philly cheesesteak, buffalo chicken, or chocolate chip cookie dough; the latter is an instant favorite of the staff.
They also take customer feedback when it comes to rotating specials. For example, the Country Fried Chicken Sandwich is now a permanent menu item thanks to customer requests. It’s topped with Yard-made sausage gravy and a fried egg. They serve other chicken sandwiches, “but this one definitely stands out as a perfect comfort food option,” Amy says.
Amy owns The Barnyard with her husband, Paul. They’ve lived in Sussex County for more than 15 years; but they moved to the Branchville area about five years ago with their two daughters. Paul has plenty of experience in the food industry, from sweeping floors to managing multiple restaurant concepts. Meanwhile, Amy was a dental hygienist with previous restaurant management experience. Prior to COVID, the couple owned More Thyme Café in Augusta. They opened The Barnyard because they needed a larger space for their catering and food truck business.
You can find The Barnyard at 1 Wantage Ave in Branchville. Look for them online to learn more.
All Photos: © The Barnyard
[email protected] — Borough officials are urging residents to boil their water until further notice after a sample from the Branchville Water Department’s well resulted in a positive E. coli test Thursday.According to a statement posted on the Branchville borough website on Friday, the water sample detected E. coli and total coliform. The latter is gen...
BRANCHVILLE — Borough officials are urging residents to boil their water until further notice after a sample from the Branchville Water Department’s well resulted in a positive E. coli test Thursday.
According to a statement posted on the Branchville borough website on Friday, the water sample detected E. coli and total coliform. The latter is generally not harmful to humans, while E. coli can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches.
The statement noted that the advisory is not related to COVID-19, citing a report on the virus from the World Health Organization that “based on current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.”
Branchville Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Lewis said most residents of the borough, along with some Frankford homes near the Branchville border, use water from the contaminated well.
Until further notice, residents should bring water to a boil for one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or preparing food. Residents can also use bottled water instead of boiling water from the system.
The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates the water may contain human or animal wastes. Pathogens in wastes may pose an increased risk for infants and young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
Lewis said the borough followed all protocols put in place by the state Department of Environmental Protection in responding to the positive test. Officials notified all well users within 24 hours of the sample through a letter and the Reverse 911 system, and also announced the test on the Branchville website.
Health officials were set to conduct additional water testing Friday, Lewis said, though he was unsure of when any follow-up tests will take place.
The borough’s statement said officials “anticipate resolving the problem within 120 days.” Lewis, however, called that estimate “the worst-case scenario” and said it would likely take much less time to resolve.
The public is encouraged to check the Branchville website, www.branchville.us, for any updates on the situation. Residents can also contact Borough Clerk Kate Leissler at 973-948-4626, or visit the municipal building at 34 Wantage Avenue in Branchville.
Forbes is out with its lists of America’s Best Large Employers and Best Midsize Employers for 2023, and several New Jersey firms made the grade.Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to compile its lists of America’s Best Large Employers and Best Midsize Employers. Both rankings are based on a survey of about 45,000 workers. The large-employer survey looked at companies or institutions with 5,000 or more employees, and the midsize list ranked firms with 1,000 to 5,000 workers.Participants in both survey...
Forbes is out with its lists of America’s Best Large Employers and Best Midsize Employers for 2023, and several New Jersey firms made the grade.
Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to compile its lists of America’s Best Large Employers and Best Midsize Employers. Both rankings are based on a survey of about 45,000 workers. The large-employer survey looked at companies or institutions with 5,000 or more employees, and the midsize list ranked firms with 1,000 to 5,000 workers.
Participants in both surveys were asked if they would recommend their current employer to friends and family and to name another employer they would recommend. The final lists rank the 500 companies that earned the most recommendations.
Overall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., ranked No. 1 on the large employers list. Caltech in Pasadena, Calif., grabbed the top spot on the midsize list.
Without further ado, here is how New Jersey companies ranked in Forbes’ lists:
64. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, Camden, Newark, 24,800
66. BMW Group, Woodcliff Lake, 120,000
97. Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, 144,300
126. Merck & Co., Rahway, 27,000
171. Prudential Financial, Newark, 15,364
183. TD Bank, Cherry Hill, 89,464
198. PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group), Newark, 12,600
278. Automatic Data Processing, Roseland, 56,000
279. Chubb, Whitehouse Station, 31,000
281. Novartis, East Hanover, 108,000
286. Ascena Retail Group, Mahwah, 53,000
343. Bayer, Whippany, 99,637
362. Catalent, Somerset, 11,700
370. Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD), Franklin Lakes, 75,000
390. 22nd Century Technologies, Somerset, 6,000
392. NFI Industries, Camden, 16,000
433. Quest Diagnostics, Secaucus, 50,000
451. State of New Jersey, 65,584
459. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Parsippany, 7,000
474. Bausch Health Cos., Bridgewater, 19,600
36. NJM Insurance Group, West Trenton, 2,500
37. PBF Energy, Parsippany, 3,329
57. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Newark, 5,000
84. Selective Insurance, Branchville, 2,440
143. Educational Testing Service, Princeton, 2,500
193. Bobst North America Inc., Parsippany, 5,800
209. Monroe Township Public School District, 1,167
215. LG Electronics, Englewood Cliffs, 36,499
261. Allied Building Products, East Rutherford (acquired by Virginia-based Beacon Roofing Supply in 2018), NA
295. Church & Dwight, Ewing, 5,100
353. RCN Telecom Services, Princeton, 1,300
379. SHI International, Somerset, 6,000
403. Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., Jersey City, 5,100
461. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, 9,500
469. The Vitamin Shoppe, Secaucus, NA
490. Terumo, Somerset, 26,482
Editor’s note: Forbes also listed American Express Global Business Travel as a New Jersey company, but American Express told NJBIZ its U.S. base is in New York City. Chanel, with 28,500 employees and listed as the No. 200 Large Employer, was listed as a New Jersey company, but NJBIZ could not confirm its headquarters as of publication time.
North Jersey children in need will have a more joyous holiday season thanks to the generous efforts of 45 schools in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties.The schools collected more than 7,000 new, unwrapped toys in this year's annual Stuff the Stocking competition benefitting the Project Self-Sufficiency Season of Hope Toy Drive. Reverend Brown Elementary School won the contest by collecting more than 1,000 toys, with last year's winner Pope John Middle School finishing in second place and North Warren Regional High Schoo...
North Jersey children in need will have a more joyous holiday season thanks to the generous efforts of 45 schools in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties.
The schools collected more than 7,000 new, unwrapped toys in this year's annual Stuff the Stocking competition benefitting the Project Self-Sufficiency Season of Hope Toy Drive. Reverend Brown Elementary School won the contest by collecting more than 1,000 toys, with last year's winner Pope John Middle School finishing in second place and North Warren Regional High School taking third.
The 45 schools set a record for the most to ever take part in a single Stuff the Stocking campaign. In all, 21 schools brought in at least 100 toys this year, to be donated to approximately 2,300 children in the region.
"The overwhelming response by these students demonstrates to the families served by Season of Hope Toy Shop that the community cares about them," said PSS Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. "Whether a school gathered less than 50 toys or more than 500, we are grateful to each student and school which participated and helped to make the 2022 effort the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date."
The contest marks the end of this year's Season of Hope initiative, which officially got underway Nov. 4. During the campaign, various local businesses, first responders and residents teamed up to contribute to the toy drive.
On Dec. 1, Selective Insurance in Branchville took part in the 16th annual "Build-a-Bike" competition. Teams of Selective employees engaged in a friendly competition to construct 30 toy bicycles as quickly as possible, with all finished bikes donated to PSS.
Off Shore Marine, another Branchville business, held its annual Stuff the Boat campaign in which residents donate toys and gift cards to the drive. On Dec. 14, owner Sherri Cecchini towed a boat filled with the community contributions to the PSS headquarters in Newton, where they were unloaded and added to the pile of donations.
"Now more than ever, we are grateful for this community’s steadfast commitment to our neighbors in need," Berry-Toon said of Stuff the Boat. "This ongoing collaboration between a local business and area first responders perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season of unprecedented challenges."
