Handy Helpers New Jersey

12/19/2025

TODAY IS THR FINAL DAY FOR DROPOFF!

Thank you to all the generous community members who have contributed so far!

Last Chance Alert, Matawan!

Sending Senior Smiles
Today, Friday, December 19, is your FINAL day to drop off your heartfelt cards and notes for our seniors. Don’t let those smiles wait!

Drop them off at:
Borough Hall (201 Broad Street) or the geekery (19 Little Street)

A little kindness goes a long way. Your card might just be the highlight of someone’s holiday!

12/18/2025

ONLY 1 DAY LEFT - card drop off deadline is Friday, 12/9 🎁

Amid the holiday hustle of shopping, decorating, and packed calendars, some of our seniors spend the season in quiet moments, often on their own. A simple gesture of kindness can remind them they are remembered, appreciated, and truly cared for by their community.

That’s why Matawan’s Sending Senior Smiles letter and card campaign is so meaningful. A simple note, a handmade card, or a few thoughtful words can lift spirits and create a connection that lasts well beyond the holidays. It’s a small gesture with a big heart.

Mayor Altomonte, the Economic Business Development Commission, and the Handy Helpers invite families, friends, neighbors, and students to join us in sharing a little extra warmth this season.

Here’s how it works:
• Write a heartfelt letter, create a handmade card or choose a store-bought one
• Drop it in a Sending Senior Smiles box at Borough Hall (201 Broad Street) or the geekery (19 Little Street)
• BUT HURRY! Drop-off deadline is THIS FRI. DEC. 19

Cards and letters will be delivered to Matawan’s senior housing locations on Saturday morning, December 20. We’ll share pictures on this page so you can see the impact your card or letter made.

Thank you, Matawan. In the middle of a busy season, it’s your kindness that truly makes the holidays brighter.

12/16/2025

Thank you GFWC Woman's Club of Matawan for helping brighten up the holidays for local isolated seniors.

There is still 4 days left to drop off card at Matawan Borough Hall or the geekery!

12/15/2025

6th Annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” Holiday Card Campaign - ONLY 5 days left!

The Matawan Handy Helpers, along with Mayor Altomonte and the Matawan Economic Development Commission, are excited to announce the 5th annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” holiday card and letter writing campaign.

The past 5 years we were successful in brightening up the holidays for elderly Matawan residents with thousands of cards and letters delivered! We are excited to keep this tradition going this year.

Please help us make a difference in a local senior’s life this holiday season by writing a short message on a card or letter. These cards will then be hand delivered by Santa and his helpers to local nursing homes and senior communities before Christmas.

A small gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially those isolated and alone for the Holidays. This is a great activity for teachers and their classes as well.

Drop off bins available at Matawan Borough Hall 201 Broad Street) and the geekery, located at 19 Little Street in Matawan.

Deadline for card submission is Friday 12/19.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Matawan Handy Helpers!

Interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news on volunteer events and opportunities.

12/10/2025

6th Annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” Holiday Card Campaign

The Matawan Handy Helpers, along with Mayor Altomonte and the Matawan Economic Development Commission, are excited to announce the 5th annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” holiday card and letter writing campaign.

The past 5 years we were successful in brightening up the holidays for elderly Matawan residents with thousands of cards and letters delivered! We are excited to keep this tradition going this year.

Please help us make a difference in a local senior’s life this holiday season by writing a short message on a card or letter. These cards will then be hand delivered by Santa and his helpers to local nursing homes and senior communities before Christmas.

A small gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially those isolated and alone for the Holidays. This is a great activity for teachers and their classes as well.

Drop off bins available at Matawan Borough Hall 201 Broad Street) and the geekery, located at 19 Little Street in Matawan.

Deadline for card submission is Friday 12/19.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Matawan Handy Helpers!

Interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news on volunteer events and opportunities.

Matawan’s Sending Senior Smiles letter and card campaign is back for its sixth year, and we need your help!

Mayor Altomonte, the Economic Business Development Commission, and the Handy Helpers invite you and your family, friends, or students to help brighten the holidays for our local seniors.

It’s easy to participate:
* Write a letter
* Make a card, or pick up a store-bought one
* Then drop it into one of our Sending Senior Smiles Boxes located at either Borough Hall (201 Broad Street) or the geekery (19 Little Street).

You can drop off cards and letters now through Friday, December 19. Everything will be delivered to senior housing locations in Matawan on Saturday morning, December 20.

Thank you, neighbors. Your kindness truly makes the season brighter!

12/04/2025

6th Annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” Holiday Card Campaign

The Matawan Handy Helpers, along with Mayor Altomonte and the Matawan Economic Development Commission, are excited to announce the 5th annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” holiday card and letter writing campaign.

The past 5 years we were successful in brightening up the holidays for elderly Matawan residents with thousands of cards and letters delivered! We are excited to keep this tradition going this year.

Please help us make a difference in a local senior’s life this holiday season by writing a short message on a card or letter. These cards will then be hand delivered by Santa and his helpers to local nursing homes and senior communities before Christmas.

A small gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially those isolated and alone for the Holidays. This is a great activity for teachers and their classes as well.

Drop off bins available at Matawan Borough Hall 201 Broad Street) and the geekery, located at 19 Little Street in Matawan.

Deadline for card submission is Friday 12/19.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Matawan Handy Helpers!

Interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news on volunteer events and opportunities.

09/18/2025

***Positive Local Story Alert***
Sometimes the smallest gesture or act of kindness can make all the difference in the life of a neighbor.

“F” is an 89 year old widow who lives on a busy street in Matawan. Unable to do yard work due to a hip injury, her front property became overgrown in recent months. The main and most concerning issue became a large hedge that had grown almost into the street, blocking her view completely and making it extremely dangerous to back out of her own driveway. Other neighbors attempted to help but the size and presence of so much poison ivy called for professional assistance.

Two local Matawan Handy Helpers, Steven Parrish and Anthony Washington, came to her rescue this past week. These two generous neighbors not only spent hours removing the problematic hedge, but also trimmed back all the vines and removed the TONS of poison ivy. All these two gentlemen asked in return for payment was a smile from our elderly neighbor. Now “F” is able to safely see traffic approaching whenever she leaves her driveway. Her smile below after seeing the completed job says it all.

They have also recently helped clear overgrowth from the driveways of other residents who were in need, free of charge. With so much negativity swirling around in the world we just wanted to make sure that Steven and Anthony were recognized for their positive impact that truly changed the life of our neighbor. These two men are part of the reason our community is such a special place. On behalf of your neighbors and “F,” we just want to say THANK YOU, one more time for your kindness and generosity.

* Steven also runs a contracting business specializing in home improvements, landscaping, and property management business so please consider hiring him for any work you may need done locally and show some love.
Contact:
SW Parrish Holdings, Inc.,
908-307-6306
[email protected]

Are you interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news and volunteering opportunities.

12/23/2024

On Saturday 12/21 Santa and his Matawan Handy Helpers along with the Mayor, members of Matawan Council and Matawan PD delivered smiles, treats and holiday cards door to door at Minnisink Village and Meadowbrook Respiratory and Nursing Center in Matawan.

During our first year in we barely received 100 holiday cards. This year, generous residents smashed our previous record with over 900 cards donated and hundreds of mini shampoos, soaps and lotions to help brighten the holiday for our local elderly neighbors.

The reactions we got were priceless and helped remind us what this season is all about. Some of the cards donated were truly amazing and really helped make the day special for each recipient. The extra cards leftover are being distributed to several other nursing homes in the local area.

Cards were donated from all corners of Monmouth County and even reaching as far as Staten Island. Thank you to all who donated and helped send smiles. None of this would have been possible without a large group of generous people, businesses and organizations from our community.

Many thanks to our volunteers: Matawan Mayor Joseph Altomonte, Council President Deana Gunn, Councilmen Steven Russell and Brian Livesey, Cathy Hyland Zavorskas, Matawan Borough PD Sergeant Tom Dayback, Officer Shawn Ramcheran, Officer Poland, Eddie Holland and Carmela Gambuzza-Holland, Jack Livesey, Logan Roinestad, Ben Cimino, Kimberly at Minnisink Village, Jennifer Prazeres, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Carrol, the geekery of Matawan, Cub Scout Pack 66 Aberdeen/Matawan NJ, Mrs. Ciara Ozone’s class at PS 3 in Staten Island, Colliers Engineering & Design, and Lambarri Dance Arts. If your class or group helped contribute cards this year please message us and let us know.

We are already looking forward to doing it again next year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

John Lazar
Matawan Handy Helpers

12/19/2024

**Card deadline is 12/20 - Only 1 day left to help spread some holiday cheer! Santa and his helpers will be delivering our cards this Saturday to local assisted living and nursing homes!***

5th Annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” Holiday Card Campaign

The Matawan Handy Helpers, along with Mayor Altomonte and the Matawan Economic Development Commission, are excited to announce the 5th annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” holiday card and letter writing campaign.

The past 4 years we were successful in brightening up the holidays for elderly Matawan residents with thousands of cards and letters delivered! We are excited to keep this tradition going this year.

Please help us make a difference in a local senior’s life this holiday season by writing a short message on a card or letter. These cards will then be hand delivered by Santa and his helpers to local nursing homes and senior communities before Christmas.

A small gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially those isolated and alone for the Holidays. This is a great activity for teachers and their classes as well.

Drop off bins available at Matawan Borough Hall and the geekery, located at 19 Little Street in Matawan.

Deadline for card submission is Friday 12/20. Full instructions and card sample can be found at the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/seniorssmiles2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Matawan Handy Helpers!

Interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news on volunteer events and opportunities.

12/19/2024

Thank you Cub Scout Pack 66 Aberdeen/Matawan NJ for helping us brighten the holidays for local isolated seniors!

12/18/2024

Only 3 days left! Help us brighten up the holidays for local seniors. Please see below for more info.

Don't forget to help make a Senior's holiday special by sending your cards and letters for Matawan's Sending Senior Smiles Campaign!

This heartfelt tradition, now in its 5th season, is a beautiful way to show our senior neighbors they’re loved and remembered this holiday season.

Write a note, make a card, or buy one, and drop it off by THIS FRIDAY, December 20th at:
** Borough Hall - 201Broad Street
** the geekery Comic Book Shop - 19 Little Street

Need ideas or instructions? We’ve got you covered, Click here for more information and inspiration: https://tinyurl.com/3zchs7tc

Your cards will be hand-delivered to Matawan Senior Housing on Saturday, December 21st, bringing joy just in time for Christmas.

Let’s come together to share the magic of the season. Your kindness will bring smiles that last all year!

12/16/2024

ONLY 5 Days Left!

5th Annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” Holiday Card Campaign

The Matawan Handy Helpers, along with Mayor Altomonte and the Matawan Economic Development Commission, are excited to announce the 5th annual “Sending Seniors Smiles” holiday card and letter writing campaign.

The past 4 years we were successful in brightening up the holidays for elderly Matawan residents with thousands of cards and letters delivered! We are excited to keep this tradition going this year.

Please help us make a difference in a local senior’s life this holiday season by writing a short message on a card or letter. These cards will then be hand delivered by Santa and his helpers to local nursing homes and senior communities before Christmas.

A small gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially those isolated and alone for the Holidays. This is a great activity for teachers and their classes as well.

Drop off bins available at Matawan Borough Hall and the geekery, located at 19 Little Street in Matawan.

Deadline for card submission is Friday 12/20. Full instructions and card sample can be found at the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/seniorssmiles2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Matawan Handy Helpers!

Interested in helping give back to our local community? Please like and follow our page for the latest news on volunteer events and opportunities.