The Mews at Laurel Creek Holds 3^rd Annual Toy Drive
to Benefit Children of MEND Holiday Fund 

Residents Spread Holiday Cheer to Local Children

MOORESTOWN, NJ (December 13, 2021) – In the spirit of the holiday season, Joanie Perry and Lynn Morsell, residents and social committee members of The Mews at Laurel Creek, have once again spearheaded a toy drive to make the holiday season a little brighter for children in the community. The 3^rd annual community toy drive – which collected 84 gifts and over $2,000 worth of monetary donations and gift cards – benefited Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development’s (MEND) Children of MEND Holiday Fund.

“We are beyond appreciative of Lynn and Joanie’s continued hard work in heading up this toy drive and bringing their neighborhood together to help support children of our hardworking MEND residents,” said Eileen Wirth, MEND’s President and CEO. “This exemplifies the true meaning of the holidays!”

Perry first started the drive in an effort to continue to help kids in some way.

“I knew of MEND and the amazing work they do in helping the community and wanted to bring people together to help support their Holiday Fund. It gives our community such pleasure to support MEND,” said Perry.”

Perry and Morsell, both retired teachers, said the response from their neighbors has been nothing short of amazing – year after year. Even during the pandemic last year, they thought outside the box on how best to receive donations due to COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to toys, they requested monetary donations and gift certificates from local businesses to help support the local economy.

“Thanks to the generosity of our residents, we have our third successful drive under our belts!” said Perry. “It’s a great feeling to come together to help spread holiday cheer to local children.”

To make a donation to MEND’s Holiday Fund, please visit https://mendinc.org/donate.php (please specify “Holiday Fund” in the comment box).

PHOTO:
Lynn Morsell and Joanie Perry, The Mews at Laurel Creek; Eileen Wirth, MEND’s President and CEO; Stephanie Blackwell, MEND’s Director of Corporate Administration.

About MEND
Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development, Inc. (MEND) is a private, nonprofit, housing development organization founded by several Moorestown churches in 1969. MEND is a national and state award-winning developer dedicated to providing safe and affordable rental housing to senior citizens, disabled persons, and families of low and moderate income. MEND has developed 771 residential units at 30 locations in the Burlington County region. Over the past 50 years, MEND’s affordable housing production efforts have represented a $150 million real estate investment in the region. Visit www.mendinc.org for more information.

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