TOMS RIVER – After a few months of election season, with a nation bitterly divided, it’s nice to think about a time when the community united to support officers during the Vest-A-Cop fundraiser held earlier in the fall.
Once again, the Pizza Hut on Route 37 was churning out dinner for everyone and the proceeds were going to the bullet proof vest fund. In past years, the officers played waiter and waitress and served the residents. This year, due to the coronavirus, that had to be reconfigured to limit the number of people in contact with each other. A huge tent was set up outside for everyone sat to eat, instead of inside the restaurant.
The weather was obliging. It was warm and sunny, which paid off for the officers in the dunk tank. The bounce houses and face painting of previous years also couldn’t be done. But since the event was outside, many people were maskless and smiling.
“We’re so grateful to all our loyal sponsors,” police spokeswoman Jillian Messina said. These included local auto dealerships and other businesses. There were also people who reached out and said “I can’t be there. How can still support you? Where can I donate?”
Officer Will Resseter oversaw the event. He said that the fundraising was much more challenging this year.
However, there were two groups that followed through. Local businesses were the first part. They lined up to sponsor the event as they have in the past. The residents were the second part. “There’s been overwhelming community support this year and every year.”
Despite the coronavirus, the township had already hit a third of their fundraising goal early in the evening, he said.
Police Chief Mitch Little said that the community has been looking for ways to support the police and this was the perfect opportunity. The weather was better than expected and the crowd was good.
“We feel funny asking the community for a donation,” he said, considering that with the pandemic many people are out of work or hurting in other ways. “We supplied the venue, and if people have the means to donate, we welcome it.”
Kelly Buskey of Toms River said she came out to support “my brother in blue.”
She had brought her family to the fundraiser, but she also talked about family in the broader sense. “In Toms River, people become more like family because we grew up in the same town.”
It was the thirtieth time that this fundraiser was held, and the department was hoping to raise $30,000.
After the event, Messina said they didn’t have an exact tally because donations were still coming in.
“The support for our department has been overwhelming. We are truly grateful for this amazing community and the love and support they have shown us,” she said. “I can tell you with absolute certainty it has been the best year in the event’s 30 years! We want to thank everyone for their generosity and appreciation, we are so honored to serve this awesome community!”
