This past holiday season was a little brighter thanks to the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s iconic Toys for Tots Program—and it was nothing short of magical. With a mission to bring joy and hope to children in underrepresented New Jersey communities, five local chamber member businesses transformed into festive drop-off locations, each radiating with the spirit of generosity. Participating businesses in Millburn-Short Hills included EVIVE Spas, Industrious (with Chatham + Short Hills & Morris City Lifestyle), La Pergola, M&T Bank, and Signature Realty. Together, they rallied their employees, customers, and the broader community to fill donation boxes with toys for children in need. “This program is about so much more than toys,” said Ana Meyer, President of the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce and publisher of the Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle and Morris City Lifestyle magazines. “It’s about spreading joy, building community, and that children receiving these toys experience the magic of the holidays.” A Tradition of Giving For decades, the Chamber has been a pillar of the Millburn-Short Hills business community. Representing a diverse group of local entrepreneurs, the Chamber fosters collaboration and promotes economic well-being. This year, the Board wanted to deepen its impact by aligning with a reputable cause that resonates with the season of giving. Toys for Tots, with its rich history of delivering holiday cheer to disadvantaged children since 1947, was the perfect partner. The Magic Behind the Mission The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is a nationwide initiative, conducted in over 800 communities. It’s not just about collecting toys; it’s about delivering hope and ensuring that children feel cherished. Each local campaign begins in October, with drop-off sites collecting new, unwrapped toys. These gifts are later sorted and distributed by community coordinators, with the support of social welfare agencies, churches, and local organizations. Board Members Leading the Way The success of this initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of the Chamber’s dedicated Board of Directors; Ana Meyer (Chatham + Short Hills City Lifestyle), Rick Davis (Cooperman Barnabas), Carl Mink (Millburn Camera), Elvira Chaus (New York Life), Leigh Schaedel (The Paper Mill Playhouse), Juila Cheng (EVIVE Spas), Ross Fields (London Jewelers), Steve Grillo (Explore Millburn-Short Hills), Breana Grosz (The Mall at Short Hills), John Meyer (Morris Media Solutions), Samir Patel (Blue Code Networks), and Erica Russo (M&T Bank). A special thank you to Leigh Schaedel’s contributions from The Paper Mill Playhouse for donating two tickets for their 2025 “Mystic Pizza” performance and M&T Bank along with Signature Realty for filling their donation boxes multiple times over. “Our Board members are passionate about making a difference,” said Ana Meyer. “This program reflects the very best of what our Chamber stands for: collaboration, generosity, and community spirit.” A Holiday to Remember As the toys began to pile up, so did the excitement. By mid-December, the Chamber’s inaugural holiday giving program had exceeded expectations, collecting hundreds of toys for children in need. The impact of this effort will ripple far beyond the holiday season. So, if you happened to have spotted a collection box brimming with brightly unwrapped toys you were witnessing the magic of a community coming together. And thanks to the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, their participating members, that magic is sure to shine even brighter next year! Consider joining the chamber and continue making a difference. https://www.millburnshorthillschamber.org/
“Our Board members are passionate about making a difference,” said Ana Meyer. “This program reflects the very best of what our Chamber stands for: collaboration, generosity, and community spirit.”