HOLMDEL – The spirit of the holiday season is still alive and well in Holmdel as Second Chance Toys and the township have partnered to bring joy to children.
“There are parents out there who have to make incredibly tough decisions about buying essential items and sometimes the little extras just aren’t affordable,” Mayor Tom Critelli said in light of the recent partnership.
Second Chance Toys is a nonprofit organization that refurbishes plastic toys and donates them to local organizations.
A shipping container has been placed at the Department of Public Works, 14 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. Residents may donate plastic toys that will be cleaned and provided to children in need, according to a press release.
Once toys have been donated, residents will be asked to take part in a community cleaning day. On that day, the toys that have been donated will be washed and prepared for distribution, according to the press release. The event will take place at the DPW at a date and time to be announced.
“Second Chance Toys handles the delivery of these toys by partnering the township with local organizations who care for in-need children. The organizations have not yet been confirmed,” Critelli said.
Reflecting on the spirit of giving to individuals in need, Critelli said, “When I was younger, I was lucky enough to wake up on Christmas morning and have presents under the tree. I was blessed enough to receive gifts on my birthday. Thankfully, my wife and I were able to do the same for our children.
“We know the joy a new toy can bring to a child, but too many children don’t know that sensation or don’t feel it as often as they should … Second Chance Toys is a program that can help and we are excited to support the effort,” he said.
The toy collection is spearhead by Holmdel DPW director Victor Stevens.
“Victor has a big heart and is passionate about using his position to help better the lives of others,” Critelli said. “When this opportunity arose, he brought it to us and we knew it was something we couldn’t let pass by.
“It’s supportive of children and families in need and it’s a positive for the environment, which are two things our community is very passionate about. This partnership was a no-brainer for us.
“This collection effort is focused on toys made entirely of plastic and the reasoning is twofold. First, plastic toys tend not to suffer the same wear and tear as play things made of other materials or fabrics.
“Additionally, plastic is not biodegradable. Once these toys are outgrown and thrown away, they sit in a landfill, or worse, make their way into our local waterways and oceans. Part of this initiative is to stop adding to the waste by refurbishing these toys and finding a home for them,” Critelli said.
A plastic toy collection will be made on Jan. 18. Critelli said the donated toys will be included with a previous collection that took place in December. Following the second collection, a community cleaning day for the toys will take place.
