11-14-2023 2:42pm

Celebrate the Holidays with Power of One

Tova Felder Editor

The Power of One, run by Kim Castellano, is hosting its fifth annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23rd at 2 pm at the Elks Lodge at 775 Clifton Avenue. This gathering, funded by Power of One donations and other charitable giving, is open to Clifton veterans, seniors, and Clifton residents who are without family for the holiday. The sit-down meal will feature a typical Thanksgiving dinner, purchased from the Allwood Diner, apple cider, bread, and delicious pies, all supplied by generous donations. The Elks Lodge is donating the space, paper supplies, and coffee.

There is space for 25 guests with five spots already reserved. Reserve your seat by email: info@powerofoneccom.org or call 862-239-5905 and leave your name and phone number. Reservation requests are appreciated by November 20. Power of One volunteers will run the event; no additional volunteers are needed at this time but donations, to help cover the cost of the meal, are gratefully accepted.

This Clifton non-profit will also be delivering Thanksgiving meals to approximately 200 residents in senior living facilities who are considered shut-ins, meaning that they are unable to leave their apartments due to illness, disability, or lack of transportation. These meals are funded by Covid relief funds from the CARES Act, addressing the continued needs of the community in the aftermath of the pandemic, and will expire at the end of December. “Our volunteers go in there and make people feel loved, cared for, and happy,” Castellano said.

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer with Power of One, help is needed for their December 17th Christmas Party in Botany. Volunteers will help set up, run craft activities for children, do face painting, and assist in running the party. Last year’s event was a huge success and Castellano is hoping for another wonderful community gathering. Contact Kim if you’d like to help: info@powerofoneccom.org.

The party will feature donated toys and families will be invited to “shop” for things to bring home and wrap for their children. To donate new, unwrapped toys for the party, please drop them off at one of the following locations by December 11th:

M&T Bank at 887 Allwood Road

Spencer Bank at 908 Van Houten Avenue

JK Realty at 270 Colfax Avenue

Provident Bank at 562 Lexington Avenue

Caring People at 1169 Main Avenue

You can also order on Amazon and ship to: A1- Affordable Construction 164 Getty Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011.

See the flier below for shopping suggestions.

If you prefer for Power of One to do the shopping, you can make a financial donation via the Power of One website or via Venmo @PowerofOne (Kimberly Castellano), or mail a check to Power of One – PO Box 6080, Clifton, NJ 07015.