Somerset, NJ – The Harvest of Hope foster and adoptive children may have been waiting on Santa Claus to come down their chimney, but the visitors who came to their annual holiday party were better than the jolly man in the red suit. The Rutgers women’s basketball team surprised about 150 children at the Harvest of Hope Family Network Services, Inc. 10th Annual Holiday Celebration. “This is a time to celebrate for children who have experienced the misfortunate of separation from their families and who have entered the foster-care system, but are now experiencing nurturing and care in loving foster homes,” said Maureen Archibald, executive director of Harvest of Hope.
More than 250 people attended the celebration that took place in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. The Scarlet Knights stopped by the event en route to facing rival Tennessee at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“It is the goal of Harvest of Hope to create lasting memories for children who often have experienced such great trauma. We want to have a long-term impact by positively influencing their lives,” Archibald said. And memories were definitely created. In addition to meeting the Scarlet Knights, they had the opportunity to participate in games and competed for tickets provided by Magic 98.3FM. Steel pan drummers provided entertainment, JacBRANDii performed musical selections and Know Your Culture provided a taste of Christmas in the Caribbean through dance. Lunch also was a delightful taste of Caribbean cuisine. Harvest of Hope was founded 13 years ago through the vision of Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church. The non-profit, which plays a vital role in the recruitment and retention of foster families, has embraced a 12-year partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. The statewide program has offices in Somerset, Cumberland and Essex counties. Harvest of Hope has licensed 345 foster homes and placed nearly 700 children into these homes. The program has successfully finalized adoptions – forever families – for 220 children who were not able to return to their biological families.