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Family & Children’s Service was founded in 1909 by a group of Long Branch community leaders. Their vision was to better the lives of their neighbors in need. The programs they began nearly 100 years ago are still in place today, along with many others, and continue to benefit individuals and families throughout Monmouth County.
Our first program took shape in December of 1909, when several Long Branch community leaders and businessmen observed a group of children scrambling in the street for free Chris tmas toys being thrown from a truck. Watching their excitement, the men decided to commit their resources to provide more toys for the children. In doing so they quickly realized the needs of many of their neighbors went beyond Christmas toys. They encouraged other community members to join in their efforts, and soon compassionate families from the area filled their sleighs with toys and food to share with their neighbors in need.
What began as a single act of kindness blossomed into an annual event with Mayor Charles McFaddin of Long Branch playing the role of Santa Claus distributing gifts at the Broadway Hotel. This tradition continues today as the Operation Sleighbells Holiday Giving program which provides joy for more than Monmouth County 600 families.
Though the holiday giving continued, it soon became apparent to community leaders that the needs of these families were not limited to the holiday season or the City of Long Branch. As a result, “The Society for the Improvement of the Poor” was established. Programs were developed covering everything from adoption services and counseling to homemaker services. In 1981, the Society for the Improvement of the Poor was granted status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and renamed Family & Children's Service.
Throughout the past 100 years, Family & Children’s Service has taken on ever-changing roles to fulfill the needs of the residents of Monmouth County; as the needs of the community change, so must the programs and services. The vision of our founders which has benefited the community for nearly a century, will continue to guide us as we begin our second century of community service.
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