Greg DePiano and Wally Korzeniewski of the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program.
MARGATE – There was no police cruiser in the multi-purpose room at the Margate Municipal Building Saturday, Nov. 24 but the fourth annual “Stuff the Police Cruiser” event went on without a hitch. Moved indoors because of the rain, the toys were plentiful around the Christmas tree as a procession of families brought unwrapped toys for the Atlantic County Toys for Kids program.
“This is really nice,” said Angelique Scouloudis, whose children brought toys for other children whose families may not be able to afford a bountiful holiday. “I’m impressed to see that everyone from the community come out to give back to the community.”
The event, which is normally held outdoors at the Sigmund Rimm athletic complex was moved indoors due to the rain. Put spirits were not dampened as hundreds of families turned out for the event.
Denise Sutor was grateful the event was not cancelled.
“It’s great they brought in indoors. My daughter Brooke brought unisex toys for younger children. No one thinks about getting toys for a 1-year-old,” she said.
Although the event is designed to collect toys for distribution to community groups, organizations and churches that request them, there was lots to do for the children who attended. Tables were set up for activities, including making little packets of raindeer fairy dust, arts and crafts and refreshments. Children lined up to provide Santa with their wishes for a merry Christmas.
The back of the room was filled with police officers and fire fighters from all three Downbeach communities who collaborated with the Margate Business Association and Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program to make the event possible.
“We are not just a holiday program,” event coordinator Wally Korzeniewski said. “We collect toys all year long and distribute them to organizations, churches and community groups.”
The toys will be stored in a vacant store in Ventnor Heights until the need for toys presents itself. It could be for a family who lost everything in a fire or storm, he said.
“We pride ourselves on being a year-round organization,” he said. “In June, we received a call from the Boys and Girls Club which needed basketballs and footballs for one of their summer programs.”
“We do a lot of different things, not just toys,” said retired Sgt. Greg DePiano of the Fraternal Order of Police.
DePiano said the organization collects and distributes about 12,000 toys during the Christmas holiday and about 2,000 more throughout the year.
“Right now, we’re on par with distribution, but we will get a big hit later in the month as we start getting more calls for toys,” he said.
For those who may have missed the opportunity to help children in need, another toy collection event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 16 at Ventnor Coffee, 108 N. Dorset Ave., Korzeniewski said.
Monetary donations are also accepted, DePiano said. Checks can be sent to the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program, PO Box 556, Somers Point, NJ 08244.
For more information, see toysforkidsprogram.org.
