A Jersey City toy drive in the Heights today will feature Santa Claus and children’s entertainment throughout the day today.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Our children come from low to very low-income households, as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. We want them to have the same opportunities as other children throughout this richly blessed country to enjoy the abundance of this season,” Joe Napolitano, the president of Kids First, Inc., said in a statement.
Napolitano and his board of trustees, received donations from local businesses, in particular TD Bank, Panepinto Properties, BCB Bank, William J. Guarini Plumbing, Delaware North, Provident Bank, Aramark, sports organizations such as NY Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, NY Giants, Brooklyn Nets and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots program.
The result is the over 4,000 toys will leave Public School No. 28, located at 167 Hancock Ave.m in grateful children’s hands.
DJ Serge, DJ Macho, and the Zanadus Magic Show will be performing, and during the show, Santa’s helpers Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elsa from Frozen and Sonic the Hedgehog will greet children in the school gymnasium.
Napolitano also shouted out Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh, Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4), Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-33), Congressman–Elect Rob Menendez, Hoboken Republic Chair Joseph Branco, Hudson County Community College Foundation, and Carlo’s Bakery for their efforts.
“I also want to make sure that Steve Lipski, David Cruz of Boost Mobile, Teamsters Local 177, CycleBar Jersey City, Peter and Michael Mocco and Mario Costa are thanked for their generous gifts” Napolitano added.
“This will be our generous community’s eleventh such holiday endeavor, but it won’t be our last. Already we’re looking forward to 2023 and another chance to spread the joy of the season.”
Amen