Colts Neck High School seniors Caroline and Emily Harris are once again working to help those who need a hand.
Over the holidays, the twin sisters donated dollhouses and toys to the Harbor House in Toms River, as well as to a young sick girl living in Hazlet. The Harbor House gives children who have been removed from abusive families a place to stay.
“I wish we had more. We have donated over 1,000 toys…that we have collected or just "spruced up" to The Raine Foundation and the Bayshore Family Success Center in Union Beach,” said Caroline in an email. “My sister, Emily, and I, have so much and just decided to try and make a difference, as small as it may be, for a needy child this Christmas. It is an incredible feeling to see how a simple Christmas toy can brighten up a child's face.”
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The sisters also brought 500 new stuffed animals and other toys to the Harbor House for the facility’s Christmas party. Caroline said the sisters searched for people to help by posting a “Speak Out” on the Marlboro-Colts Neck Patch.
“It is sad, though, just how many people are in need this holiday season. But we knew when we decided to do this toy donation we would come to learn about struggling families and children who are in real need, not only for Christmas toys, but for places to live and families to care for them. It just makes my sister and I appreciate how lucky we are having a wonderful family who loves and cares for us so,” wrote Caroline.
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In addition, the sisters held a fundraiser in October at CNHS to help those suffering with Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG). The cause struck home for Caroline, who suffers from the disease herself. The fundraiser brought in $12,000 to be sent to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and was part of the "Step by Step for EG" partnered with the Giving Hope Program at CCH.
All of this may seem remarkable, especially when one considers that the sisters aren’t just trying to help others, but also are working toward graduation and college.
“It's been almost a full-time job and with applying for colleges and our school work, we have been so busy!"
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