Old Bridge Village: Making the holidays brighter
Volunteers and community members at the Old Bridge Village Yacht Club are pitching in to help make the holidays a little better for those who might need a little more than just Santa can provide.
On Monday, they helped load trucks full of bikes and toys for the Marines Toys for Tots campaign, destined for deserving area children who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday.
Throughout the year, community members made donations of toys or money through raffles, yard sales and other activities. Those who couldn’t donate money donated time instead.
Members of the community worked and celebrated throughout the weekend.
On Sunday, there were nearly 100 bikes and tables filled with toys at the Old Bridge Village Club House, as well as Christmas trees filled with clothing, which will go to school children.
Denise Kedian, who lives in Old Bridge Village, said it was a team effort to pull this off.
“It’s not just the yacht club. Everybody who lives here pitches in,” Kedian said. “It’s a special time for us.”
The project started 10 years ago, Kedian said, when the commodore of the Salvation Army left a box in the card room for people to put toys in.
“So many people put toys in that they had to repeatedly empty it. It just grew from there,” Kedian said. “We put boxes in stores, we solicit businesses, and Wal-Mart has been great.”
Wal-Mart not only supplied the bikes at deep discounts, but also assembled them.
Frank Vesley, a Marine veteran in charge of the program, said the community has done a tremendous job the three years he has been coming.
“There’s no other organization that gets so many bicycles at one time. Hundreds of stores have boxes that they fill up, and many of the retirement communities have something going on,” Vesley said. “
On Saturday, the toys and bikes were brought in and set up at the Old Bridge Village Club House.
On Sunday, they trimmed the Christmas trees, some of which featured hats, gloves, scarves and socks, at the club. There were also uniforms for students at J. Colin English Elementary School, which would go to students with the greatest need.
Sharon Denney, another resident, was in charge of the tree. She said after bringing in the scarves and gloves last Christmas, administrators said they really needed uniforms, shoes and socks.
“We figure we have at least 30 to 40 outfits and more will probably come in,” Denney said. “You never have to ask for help from these people. They always pitch in and give money, which I will give to the school in case the uniforms don’t fit.”
On Monday morning, Salvation Army trucks came to haul the bounty, which will be given to eligible area residents during the second week of December at their nearby warehouse.
The Toys for Tots campaign is nationwide. Last year, more than 50,000 toys were given to 9,000 children in Lee County alone, Vesley said.
“You should see them when they come to the distribution center (at the old Goodwill building). They are grateful they’re going to have a decent Christmas,” Vesley said.
Local schools and charitable agencies help the organization identify those in need.