Boxx 4 Tots toy drive at Margate Municipal Building.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE A tradition that started 18 years ago continues this year at the Margate Municipal Building and other locations in the Downbeach area.
Boxing instructor Jon Simon was teaching a boxing class 18 years ago and noticed the Toys for Tots box outside the classroom was empty, so he told his students their next class would be free if they brought a new unwrapped toy to class. That simple act resulted in years of bringing Christmas joy to children in need through his Boxx 4 Tots program.
Soon after, Simon began receiving monetary donations, which he used to purchase more toys.
It got bigger every year. We are now a registered non-profit and receive about $16,000 in donations to buy toys, he said.
Firefighters and Commissioner John Amodeo help move toys into the Margate Municipal Building multipurpose room.
On Monday morning, Simon brought about $10,000 worth of toys he purchased at 5 Below to display in the multipurpose room at the Margate Municipal Building, 9001 Winchester Ave. Members of the Margate City Fire Department provided the muscle to move all the toys to a location in front of the stage. The department even purchased a special banner to hang above the toys.
This year's toy drive started the day after Thanksgiving and will go until Dec. 22. Anyone can drop off a toy at the municipal building or at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21 at the William H. Ross School where another collection will be held. Bocca Coal Fired Pizza will host an after-party with free food for participants.
Jon Simon purchased about $10,000 worth of toys for the Boxx 4 Tots program.
Island Gym and Dollar General in Ventnor are also drop-off spots for the Boxx for Tots program, Simon said.
The toys will be distributed to churches or community groups that request them for distribution to good little boys and girls.
Anyone wishing to receive toys for distribution in their community may contact Simon at 609-992-6211.
Reflecting on his 18 years of playing Santa, Simon said he hopes to continue the effort as long as possible.
Our goal is to make the toy pile bigger every year, and every year, we have achieved that goal, he said. We hope to continue as long as the community supports us.
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