Inroads cafeteria crew prepare holiday lunch for over 200 program participants and staff members. (Pictured left to right) Natalie S., Christopher R., Denise M. and Lisa T.

Inroads to Opportunities is feeling the holiday spirit this week thanks to our friends at Holiday Express. This year was our third annual Holiday Express event at the center. Due to the pandemic, we enjoyed the 2021 performance virtually. Program participants and staff watched this years Holiday Express video across our Inroads campus, which allowed us to spread out and enjoy the music over holiday lunch with friends and co-workers.

Founded in 1993, by Tim McLoone, Holiday Express works year-round to deliver music, food, gifts, and human kindness to adults and children in need, including the mentally and physically disabled, the isolated, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the poor and the homeless, and children with serious illnesses. With a constituency of more than 24,000 throughout the metropolitan tri-state area, our priority is to serve those who are desperately in need and often forgotten.

Recorded professionally at McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, NJ, Holiday Express pre-recorded a special concert full of classic holiday hits and guests from across the country. The Holiday Express Band is comprised of talented musicians who volunteer their time to spread holiday joy to New Jersey’s most vulnerable population.

Inroads staff members helped serve our annual holiday lunch to over 200 program participants. This years meal, thanks to Rita Christiansen, coordinator of skills training and cafeteria supervisor, Inroads enjoyed BBQ chicken, sweet potato fries, green beans, corn bread, candy and holiday cookies.

Inroads resident elves and employment team (pictured below) served three lunch sessions to program participants in our vocational training building.

(Pictured left to right) Inroads ambassador Dale D. with Employment Specialists Harry J., Georgette C., Lisa J. and Diane R.

Holiday Express generously donated a gift bag for each one of our program participants, which included hats, gloves, scarves, toiletries and holiday goodies. Our amazing staff helped us unload and distribute over 200 gift bags, which filled our entire board room.

Inroads would like to send a huge thank you to the amazing men and woman who work so hard to make these events possible at Holiday Express. We are so grateful for your time and talent and look forward to having our 4th annual event next year!

Special thanks to each of our staff members who helped make this weeks event special. We appreciate all that you do for Inroads throughout the year!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

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