Ocean County Sheriff's Office Toy Drive Kicks Off

Maybe you are fortunate enough to be able to buy toys for your children this holiday sesason.

But sadly, many people cannot.

So the Ocean County Sheriff's Department is urging residents to participate in the department's annual toy drive.

Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said that last year the drive helped more than 300 families and provided toys to more than 900 children throughout the County.

“We are working with the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association and local police departments in order to make sure families that are in need are served by the program,” Mastronardy said. “It’s gratifying that so many people in the past have donated and helped. We are hoping to see the same response this year to helping our neighbors.”

New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at a number of locations throughout Ocean County until Dec. 21 including the Ocean County Clerk's Office, Ocean County Courthouse, 118 Washington St., Toms River; Ocean County One Stop Center, 1027 Hooper Ave., Building 2, Toms River; Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Ave., Toms River; Ocean County Southern Service Center, Routes 9 and 72, Manahawkin; County Connection, Ocean County Mall, JC Penney Wing, Hooper Avenue, Toms River and the Ocean County Training Center, Volunteer Way, Waretown.

Also toy bins are at the following Ocean County Library branches: Brick Branch

301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick Township; Lacey Branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River; the main branch of the Ocean County Library at 101 Washington St., Toms River, Barnegat Township Branch at 112 Burr St., Barnegat Township; Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin and Waretown Branch, 112 Main St., Waretown.

“This effort is supported by the generosity of the Ocean County government family, from the staff at the courthouse and Sheriff’s Office, to the workers in southern Ocean County, the county staff is helping to make a difference this holiday season,” Mastronardy said. “We are collectively asking the citizens to do what they can to help.”

For those residents who need assistance with toys this Christmas, please register with the Sheriff’s Department by filling out the Sheriff’s Toy Drive Application Form by the Dec. 14 deadline. The form may be accessed from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office website home page at www.co.ocean.nj.us/OCsheriff.

You can also call 732-929-2161 for help, either for assistance or providing donations.

Toy distribution is scheduled for Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Recipients will be contacted by the Sheriff’s Office with a time, date and location for pickup.

Image: Patch file photo