McCarter 2023 Trees of Giving Initiative

“The shadows of things that would have been, may be dispelled.

They will be.

I know they will! I will make it so!”

—The Transformed Ebenezer Scrooge

When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas in 1843, his original thought was to write a political pamphlet to express his urgent concern over the plight of England’s poor families and unprotected child workers, as well as vent his anger at an inequitable, stratified society and those in the wealthy upper-class who were mean, hard-hearted, greedy, indifferent, and complacent regarding those living in poverty. His decision to write a story that entertained while appealing to his affluent book buyers’ emotional hearts provided him the opportunity to reexamine his own experience of poverty and create one of literature’s most celebrated and memorable characters: the rich, cold-hearted, miserly, willfully ignorant and misanthropic Ebenezer Scrooge who learns in one magical and miraculous night his capacity for transformation and compassion, the joy of giving, and his own power to positively change the lives and futures of others! 180 years later, the story of A Christmas Carol and its themes continue to inspire acts of generosity, charity, and philanthropy.

McCarter is proud to join forces with our esteemed, long-term nonprofit community partners—HomeFront, Mercer Street Friends, The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, and TASK - Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, all dedicated to serving, supporting, and enhancing the lives and futures of children, families, and individuals in our communities most in need—in an initiative we are calling TREES OF GIVING that is intended to illuminate our organizational missions and provide an immediate opportunity for spontaneous acts of joyful and generous giving, inspired by the transformed Ebenezer Scrooge himself!

Our forest of TREES OF GIVING is located onsite at McCarter in the Matthews Theatre’s Lockwood Lobby for patrons attending a performance of A Christmas Carol; there friends and families can visit each “tree” to learn more about services, programs, and current fundraising initiatives for all five organizations and engage in instantaneous electronic giving via QR code.

For virtual philanthropists, please read more about each organization and find links to donate below!

Thank you for your generous and joyful giving!

The shadows of things that would have been, may be dispelled

They will be. We know they will!

YOU WILL MAKE IT SO!

Donate to these causes

Turning Hunger Into Hope

Mission Statement: TASK’s mission is to feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and provide programs and services to enhance self-sufficiency and improve quality of life.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

By donating to TASK this holiday season, you are helping to provide approximately 10,000 meals per week to neighbors in need across our community. In addition, you are helping TASK to provide programs and services like adult education, case management, workforce training, creative arts and access to basic necessities. With your support, together we can provide the resources needed to help people thrive and turn hunger into hope.

For more information about donations, at-home service project and wish list of items: www.trentonsoupkitchen.org/ways-to-give

Nourishes minds and bodies.
Empowers families and communities.

Our Food Bank leads the community’s response to hunger in Mercer County.

Our Family Programs address the trauma of poverty for local families.

Our Preschool and Community Schools provide comprehensive year-round academic, emotional, and social services to students and families throughout Trenton.

Your gift helps to change the lives of your Mercer County neighbors in need.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

For more information, visit mercerstreetfriends.org

Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. We lessen the immediate pain of homelessness and help families become self-sufficient. We work to give our clients the skills and opportunities to ensure adequate incomes, and we work to increase the availability of adequate, affordable housing. We help homeless families advocate for themselves individually and collectively.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

DONATE TO HOMEFRONT HOLIDAY WISHLIST HERE

DONATE TO HOMEFRONT'S MOST NEEDED ITEMS WISHLIST HERE

Saving Children’s Lives and Building Healthy families Since 1894

Founded in 1894, The Children’s Home society of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk infants, children, youth, and families achieve their potential through 46 different programs at 13 sites as well as the Trenton public Schools. We protect abuse or neglected infants and children, strengthen families, and strive for stable, permanent, and loving homes for every child. Our inclusive programs for children and families support child welfare and adoption, pregnancy from prenatal through postnatal care, nutrition, parent education, early childhood and youth development, counseling, and grandparents and kin raising their grandchildren. We proudly sponsor federal WIC, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Head Start/Early Head Start programs.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Ensuring access to the performing arts for our local communities.

McCarter’s mission is to create stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities through the performing arts. We lead with the values of joy and justice, beauty and belonging.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Your donation will support McCarter’s new ticket access initiative, Stage Door, providing free and discounted tickets to performances for our neighbors and community members who would otherwise be unable to attend shows at McCarter due to socioeconomic barriers. 100% of your donation will go directly to this vital program, set to begin in Spring 2024.