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3/18/2005 - The Sound of Music
This page contains Bonnie Brae official press releases. For more information,
please contact Debora Montgomery, Public Relations Manager at Bonnie Brae, via
phone at 908-647-4700 or via email at
dmontgomery@bonnie-brae.org.
12/19/2005 - Holiday Express comes to
Bonnie Brae
This Is The
Best Christmas I’ve Ever Had!
Bernards Township, NJ – December 19, 2005 – It may
have been chilly outside but it was very warm for 89
young students at Bonnie Brae, a residential treatment
center for youth in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. These
lucky young men ages 11 to 18 were visited by the
magical travelling volunteer group Holiday Express.
Dancing, singing and laughter was heard beyond the
walls of Bonnie Brae’s gym when Santa Claus, the Grinch,
Snowman and Elves pulled students and staff out of the
crowd to take part in the many festivities: Musical
numbers, raffles, jokes, arts and crafts, contests,
distribution of holiday gifts, and more. Holiday Express
also provided dinner for the entire crowd.
Holiday Express located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey
and now in its 13th season, is led by long-time Jersey
Shore musician and restaurateur Tim McLoone. It
is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, nonsectarian
organization delivering music, toys, clothing, food and
fun to those in need throughout New Jersey.
“This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had!” Bonnie
Brae student Dave said with deep emotion to Tim McLoone
at the end of this unforgettable two-hour event. “I’ve
been here the longest out of all of the guys here
because I do not have a place to go yet and this was the
best!”
Many of the youngsters ran to Santa Claus to give him
hugs while others sang their heart out singing and
dancing to Christmas Carols with the Holiday Express
Band. Eighty percent of the young men in Bonnie Brae’s
care have been abandoned, abused or neglected. All are
special education students.
The New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services
(DYFS) refer most of the boys to Bonnie Brae from
juvenile shelters, foster homes, psychiatric hospitals,
or after they have exhausted the resources of their
families and communities.
This is why having the travelling group Holiday
Express visit Bonnie Brae meant so much not only to the
students but also to the staff - it allowed everyone to
bond together as a family and get into the holiday
spirit.
For more information on Bonnie Brae:
www.bonnie-brae.org
or call 800-647-0801. For more information on Holiday
Express:
www.holidayexpress.org
Contact:
Bonnie Brae
Debora Montgomery
Public Relations Manager
(908) 647-4700
www.bonnie-brae.org
dmontgomery@bonnie-brae.org
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