ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—The Englewood Field Club was overflowing with toys and joy, as hundreds of bags with gifts were given to Englewood families in need on the afternoon of Dec. 19.
The Englewood Toy Drive is an annual event that is part of the PBA Toy Drive sponsored by Englewood Fire Fighters Local 3260 and Englewood Police PBA Local 216. The Toy Drive provides less fortunate families with toys for children 3 to 16 years of age.
This year’s Englewood Toy Drive was directed by Lt. Tom Greeley and Lt. Matt De La Rosa from the Englewood Police Department and Capt. Jeff Kaplan from the Englewood Fire Department with assistance from the Englewood Chamber of Commerce (ECC).
Englewood families that are eligible to receive toys are selected based on need, and that number increases every year. The Toy Drive started small 14 years ago, and it has grown into a major event. Four years ago, it became a joint effort of the police and fire departments, and they now share the large collection of toys with other towns in Bergen County.
Between Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 unwrapped toys and gift certificates were collected at multiple locations throughout Bergen County and then stored at the Closter firehouse. Each participating town then received age appropriate toys for children in all the families that had registered.
On Dec. 19, several dozen members of the Englewood PBA Local 216 and Englewood Fire Department’s 4th Platoon had the heartwarming task of distributing toys to over 300 families at the Englewood Field Club.
They were assisted by nine girls from the Dwight-Englewood School. The enthused teens helped carry the gifts into the Field Club and manned the tables set up around the main hall where families signed in, adding to the joyful spirit of the occasion.
Sophia Sujak said, “It’s nice to know that all these kids will be getting all these amazing toys.”
Her friend, Brooke Somkin, added, “In a time when everyone is grateful for things, I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to help others get gifts.“
Families were presented with giant bags filled with age appropriate toys for each of their children and Christine Hamel from Englewood Health gave out small first aid kits.
Youngsters and teens with mile-wide smiles eagerly checked out the wide variety of treasures, everything from Star Wars action figures, stuffed animals, board games, Disney books and dolls, art supplies, science kits, trucks, electronics and more.
The members of the police and fire department who distributed the toys were as enthused as the kids and the parents who received them.
Police Officer Jordan Migliore said, “I’ve been a member of the Englewood police force for four years and I have worked at this event all four years. It’s really wonderful giving back to the community. The families are very appreciative and I like that the police and fire departments come together. This is my favorite part of the job, seeing people light up and smile!”
When asked about the toy drive, parents said it would save their holiday.
A young mother of two said, “I just got my first place and I have to spend all my money on rent and paying bills. I don’t know what I would have done without this. Without these toys, there would be no gifts under the tree!”
Another mom chimed in, “I’m raising five kids, and I’m out of work. Without this program, we could not have Christmas!”
Mayor Michael Wildes came to greet and chat with Englewood families. He praised the Englewood Fire and Police Departments.
“Thank you for everything that you do to make us safe,” Wildes said. “It’s wonderful that you give back to the children, because they are our future and you are recognizing that in this season of gratitude.”
Looking around at all the families and children’s smiling faces at the distribution party on Dec. 19, Englewood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Rauscher said, “I think this really shows how generous and giving the people of Englewood and surrounding towns are. But, the biggest thanks goes to the police and fire departments, without whom this massive project, the largest toy drive in the county, could not have happened!”
