Asbury Partners
Plays Santa, Brings Holiday Cheer to Local Children

Two days before Christmas, more than 250 Asbury Park children receive new toys at drive coordinated by Ministerial Alliance and Asbury Partners .

Asbury Park, N.J. – Asbury Partners teamed up with the Asbury/Neptune Ministerial Alliance, the Mt. Pisgah Lodge #48 Masons, area churches, and the two local contractors, Sand and Stone Construction and A&H Construction to distribute more than 300 toys to area children in need for the holidays. The festivities took place at the Masonic Lodge and were highlighted by an appearance by Santa Claus.

Prior to the start of the event, Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners, delivered more than $2,000 in toys with Sand and Stone and A&H, two contractors currently doing work on the oceanfront redevelopment project.

“As part of our overall mission to the community, we feel it is important to be involved with everyone here, especially around the holidays,” said Fishman. “To truly rebuild and improve Asbury Park means going beyond the actual construction of new buildings. It means revitalizing the spirit and hope of this great city. You can see this happen before your eyes whenever a local job is created or a child’s day is brightened by a new toy.”

Children waited on line before receiving toys that included Barbie dolls, GI Joes, football action figures, Play Doh, and Slinkies.

“With the toys that Asbury Partners donated, we were really able to make this a big event for the community and a great celebration of holiday goodwill and the spirit of hope,” said Reverend David Parreott Jr., Assistant Secretary-elect of the Ministerial Alliance. “The children and their families are grateful for these gifts.”

“This city has great leaders, and we were fortunate to be able to work with many of them to put together this event,” said Fishman.

More than 30 area churches and the Mt. Pisgah Masons participated in the toy drive, making announcements of the drive, passing out flyers, and organizing more than 20 volunteers to assist the day of the event. Refreshments were made available for the children by Third Power Market Development and Dunkin Donuts.

Asbury Partners’ other donations this holiday season include contributions to the Salvation Army for their Christmas Eve dinner and a cooperative effort with the Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) of Greater Monmouth County purchase Thanksgiving turkeys and all the fixings for needy families in Asbury Park.

The master developer of the oceanfront redevelopment project is closing the year with many project milestones in sight. Artifacts from the deteriorating Casino building are being saved as the building itself is undergoing demolition. Additionally, there are four local contractors finishing work on infrastructure improvements.