Hundreds of donated toys were stuffed into the backs of police cruisers during Margate's annual toy drive, Dec. 16, 2022.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE The city's seventh annual Stuff the Police Cruiser toy drive Friday, Dec. 16 generated hundreds of toys for Santa's sleigh. Families from the communities along Absecon Island arrived with arms filled with gifts, just like the Three Wise Men who visited a manger in Bethlehem centuries ago.
The event, which has grown exponentially over the last seven years, is organized by the Margate Police Department in cooperation with Ventnor and Longport law enforcement. Firefighters and children in the city's public schools also collected hundreds of toys for the Atlantic County Toys for Kids program, which distributes toys to children who need them, not only during the holiday season, but also throughout the year when the need for toys arises. According to officials, the organization distributes about 12,000 toys during the holiday season, with about 2,000 more distributed during the year for families who fall on hard times or lose their possessions due to house fires or other emergencies.
The event was moved from its original location along Edgemar Circle to the Sigmund Rimm Athletic Complex parking lot off Huntington Avenue. A large stage was set up to accommodate performances and several firepits enticed children to roast marshmallows.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were inside a large tent to hear children's holiday wishes while a photographer took pictures. At a nearby table, children wrote letters to Santa to make sure he remembers the sugarplum wishes in their heads.
As always, food is a major component at Margate festivals, and as such, a pizza maker manned a booth spinning pizzas in the air.
Students at Leslie's Dance Studios performed several holiday dances, a la the Rockettes, wearing bright red sweatshirts. Their parents enthusiastically stood around the dancers taking pictures and filming videos on their cell phones.
Holiday characters, including the Grinch, milled about taking pictures with families. The children enjoyed holiday games and bouncy rides, while their parents and grandparents chatted with friends.
[rl_gallery id="31100"]
