Pictured from left are Longport Patrolman/State Delegate Christopher Ricciotti, Patrolman/PBA President Quinton Wright and Sgt. Jamie Silva.
Although Downbeach police and firefighters will not be asking you to Stuff the Cruiser filled with toys this year, they are hoping you will stuff the lobby instead.
Local Downbeach police and fire departments have kicked off this year’s Atlantic County Toys For Kids program by opening their lobbies for donations that will bring smiles to the faces of children this holiday season.
According to representatives of Margate PBA Local 65, “The generosity of our community overwhelms us every year. Let’s keep the spirit alive this year as well.”
The Margate PBA Local 65, Ventnor PBA Local 97, Margate FMBA Local 41, Ventnor FMBA Local 38 and the Longport Volunteer Fire Department collaborate on the Toys For Kids collection each year, usually with a big holiday celebration at the Sigmund Rimm Recreation Complex in Margate. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the gathering will not be held this year. Nevertheless, the need to provide some holiday magic for Atlantic County children is greater than ever as many families are facing the holidays without employment.
First responders are asking people to donate a new, unwrapped toys and drop it in the donation box located in the lobby of the Margate and Longport police departments.
Margate Police already got the ball rolling by donating $250 worth of toys.
Toys will be delivered to the Toys For Kids program in mid-December for distribution to children in the Atlantic County area.
The organization collects toys during the holidays and throughout the year to distribute to churches and community groups that request toys for their children.
The organization collects and distributes about 12,000 toys during the Christmas holiday and about 2,000 more throughout the year, according to organizers. The toys not only fill a need during the Christmas holidays, but also for families who may have lost their homes due to fire or storms.
For more information, see toysforkidsprogram.org.
Margate holiday festival provides family fun and lots of ‘Toys for Kids’
Downbeach towns collaborate to make the holidays bright for children in need
