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Toys For Tots Program Makes Christmas A Little Merrier
By Jo Ann La Russo
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| --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Despite the economy, Berkeley residents were in a giving mood this holiday season. |
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The Berkeley Township Police Department, along with the Berkeley Township PBA, helped to spread the joy of Christmas by collecting new, unwrapped toys that were delivered to needy young children in the community.
Hundreds of gifts filled the Berkeley Township courtroom in the Samuel Britton Law Enforcement Center on Pinewald Keswick Road last week as Patrolman and PBA President Rodney Baranyay, along with township public safety communications operator Jen Hawk, waited for families to pick up gifts in time for the big day.
Through the efforts of the township Police Benevolent Association's Toys for Tots program, children throughout Berkeley Township had a merrier holiday.
"That is our goal," said Baranyay as he packed up gifts with the help of Councilman Carmen Amato, who stopped by to lend a hand.
"This is the third year I have been involved in this worthwhile effort," Amato said as he checked lists for age groups and sorted through the myriad of toys to be packed up in huge bags for delivery.
"Through the Toys For Tots program, the Berkeley Township PBA brings cheer to many township homes," Amato said. "It's been my pleasure to work with the PBA in this very worthwhile program. No child should wake up on Christmas morning without a toy."
Hawk said although the room was packed with presents, this year, donations were down.
"This is only about 60 percent of last year's gift donations," she said. "With the economy the way it is, we all feel the pinch."
"We're waiting for a few families to come here and pick up the toys," she said. "We also have a list of recipients that we deliver to."
Baranyay's 9-year-old daughter, Madison, helped Jessica Bozarth of Bayville select toys for her two sons, Anthony and Nicholas, 5 and 3.
Madison, a third grade student at Lanoka Harbor Elementary School, was amazed at the sight of all the gifts. "I'm glad that the presents here will make some kids happy."
"We are so grateful to the PBA," Bozarth said. "Every year, they are making a lot of kids happy, and parents are thankful. I don't know what we would do without them."
"This year, it was tough," Baranyay said. "We are grateful to the Provident Bank, off Mule Road, in Toms River, and to St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Bayville who both generously donated a portion of the gifts that they collected. Ten bags of toys were donated by St. Barnabas Church. We also worked closely with Provident Bank. We are thankful for the church and the bank that has helped us tremendously in our effort."
The PBA also had collection bins at the township municipal building and at police headquarters. "All our employees were very generous," he said, adding that the township's 73 member PBA also put a lot of money into the donations.
Bayville residents Koretta Fennell and Hazel Davis praised the Toys for Tots program as they selected toys for 4-year-old twins and a 13 year-old-boy.
"It is absolutely great that there are so many people who care," said Mrs. Fennell, "and that they are doing this for the kids. As soon as you walk into this room and see all these presents, you can see that Santa has arrived in Bayville."
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