2019 Holiday Recap

This holiday season featured the Traditional Christmas Tree Lighting at Victory Park, Menorah Lighting at Congregation B’nai Israel and the 20th annual Rumson DPW Annual Toy Drive.

The tree lighting included its traditional festivities, highlighted by Tim McLoone & the Shirleys, The Deane-Porter Third Grade Chorus, refreshments, and, of course, a visit from Santa.

December 13 and 14 marked the 20th Annual Rumson DPW Toy Drive. Since 1999, the holiday toy drive has been a project in which the DPW staff participates by donating their time to the event.

All of the collected unwrapped toys are donated to the Salvation Army in Red Bank, NJ, and to the Family and Children’s Services organization in Long Branch, NJ. Following more than 600 toy donations in 2017 and 2018, the 2019 event saw more than 700 gifts donated by families throughout the community.

“This was our 20th DPW Toy Drive, and we are just as happy and proud as if it was our first. Twenty years ago, I brought up the idea to the guys, some who are now retired, and everyone was on board. There is no better feeling than giving and knowing that we will be making a lot of children happy this holiday. We cannot thank those that donated enough! It is now a tradition in Rumson and everyone looks forward to it. Also, I cannot say enough about my guys at the DPW, who donate their time to make this all happen.”

— Mark Wellner, Rumson Department of Public Works Superintendent