NJ family delivers 'Happy Boxes' to children in Africa
SOMERS POINT, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A South Jersey family has brought joy to hundreds of children, ranging from the tri-state area all the way down to South Africa.
Tara Scioli, a former police officer, first started making 'Tara's Happy Boxes' for her grandchildren in 2020. She soon expanded it into a charitable campaign to get toys and trinkets into the hands of children in need.
Each piece starts with a cigar box and usually ends with a ribbon tied around more toys than could ever fit inside. They rely on donations to keep up with demand.
The Sciolis typically partner with local organizations such as Atlanticare and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
But a few years ago, they learned about a local couple who created an orphanage for children in South Africa.
Scioli, a lifelong fan of African culture herself, felt compelled to donate Happy Boxes to them.
Then, in December 2025, Scioli and her family were invited to personally travel to South Africa and deliver another batch of Happy Boxes themselves.
Scioli's husband, Jim, even used his carpentry skills to build new tables and benches for the kids to eat meals with.
Watch the video above to see what the experience meant to them.
For more information about Tara's Happy Boxes, find them on Instagram or Facebook.
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