BERKELEY – The holiday season is a time to come together, especially if you’re helping others.
An annual fall tradition is that three groups meet in the parking lot of the H&M Potter School. They have several different goals, but they all include helping the community.
The Berkeley PBA kicked off their toy drive. On December 15, they make the VFW into a store and families in need can pick out items for their kids.
Any families looking to be invited to this should call the police station at 732-341-1132 and reach Jamie Weber.
“It seems like every year, it’s getting bigger and bigger,” said Patrolman Christopher Shick, who organized the toy drive. “There are more people reaching out to us for toys for their kids.”
They will also be doing a Thanksgiving food drive near ShopRite on November 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The toy drive’s table was right next to the Bayville Fire Department’s table. They were selling their calendar as a fundraiser.
For $25, you have a chance to win your money back – and more. Each calendar comes with a 3-digit number. If the evening Pick-3 matches that number, you win additional money. Most dates are $25, but some are much more.
Carl De Conte said you can reach out to the firehouse or their Facebook page if you want a calendar.
The Berkeley Shores Homeowners Civic Association had two operations going on. Members were picking up trash off the streets while others were collecting food donations.
There were about two trunks filled, but the volunteers said there was not as much collected as last year.
The food will be going to pantries in St. Barnabas and Faith Community Church, both in Berkeley. They noted that if you still have food to give, you can contact those parishes.
