Over the last ten years, Home Away From Home Academy, a private school on the borders of Holmdel/Aberdeen has partnered with HFCF, a Monmouth County based organization, which began in 2002 and consists of young professionals, entrepreneurs, and alumni parents of the Academy.  Working together, their objective is to raise funds with the end result of making a significant positive difference in the lives of children.  On an annual basis, HFCF identifies charitable organizations and individuals that will benefit from their fundraising efforts.  Past beneficiaries have included K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Arc of Monmouth County, Prevention 1st, YMCA, Monmouth Medical Center and more.  The role of Home Away From Home Academy is to collect brand new toys for the HFCF toy drive, of which these selfless individuals sort and deliver to children in need during the holiday season.

Carmine S. Visone, Owner, says “the most important thing here is teaching the children that it is just as important to give as it is to receive; especially during this time, it means just a little more to bring a smile to another person’s face.”  Kindness and helping others are invaluable lessons that are taught at Home Away From Home Academy.  Co- owner of the Academy Phyllis Visone says, “Having a child go out to purchase a toy for another child in need is one of the best ways to embrace the holiday season, in our eyes.”   This year the toy drive will directly benefit local families in need, as well as, The Raine Foundation.  In past toy drives the school was recognized for its plentiful collection of items, collecting over 300 toys each year.

Some of the items they collected include: stuffed animals, coloring books, arts and crafts supplies, puzzles, sports items, Legos, Barbies, and more.    The Toy Drive started at the end of November, and culminated in the first week of December when the ‘elves’ from the HFCF picked up the collection of toys.  The effort put forth by the Academy to help others is truly inspiring, and they will continue to assist this charity during the holiday season every year.

Home Away From Home Academy is an accredited private school serving infants through elementary students for over 30 years.  The Academy has been noted for its outstanding philanthropic commitment in charitable giving not only through HFCF, but also, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The ALS Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties.  The Visones are thankful that “the generosity of the parents in the school make all of this possible”.  For more information on Home Away From Home Academy, please call 732-290-0033 or visit www.hafha.com.