Pop Warner coaches (and Val’s Tavern owners) Chris and James Smith, left, hosted a fundraising event December 2 at their landmark Rumson pub for the benefit of Rutgers football star Eric LeGrand. Proceeds from special auction items and sales of “Believe Fund” merchandise were dedicated to the Scarlet Knights defensive tackle, who sustained a paralyzing injury during October’s Army-Rutgers game.
It’s ALL Good, as they say on TV — at least during this jingliest of seasons, in which collection cans and kettles can be found on street corners and stripmall sidewalks and in which bins and boxes for food/ clothing/ toy drives are sighted most everywhere you look.
Whether you’re dodging carolers and horse-drawn carriages on your way to some weekend errands, or making a special trip out to the Count Basie Theatre (where several high-profile benefit concerts make a joyful noise in the coming nights) or Two River Theater (where an ongoing pet food drive continues for the run of Charlotte’s Web), you’ve got plenty of chances to Do Good here in December — and for this month’s Done Good roundup, we’ve got a few more recommendations coming right up; only a couple of which have anything to do with Santa Claus.
David Prown, chairman of the Red Kettle Classic event, gathers ’round the kettle with John Schwamberger (of Tinton Falls-based event sponsor United Teletech Financial) and the Salvation Army’s Captain Stewart Dalrymple. Last weekend’s basketball tournament saw boys and girls teams from six local middle schools compete in the second annual fundraiser for the Red Bank chapter of the Army and its efforts in the community.
TUESDAY: “Shop for Alex” at Jackrabbit Toys. The Monmouth County toy store chain dedicates an evening of its holiday shopping season to the nonprofit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation — a national organization that traces its origins to the actual front yard lemonade stand of young cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) — and its ongoing efforts on behalf of kids with cancer. Between the hours of 6 and 9p on December 7, Jackrabbit Toys in The Grove West (540 Broad Street, Shrewsbury) donates 10 percent of all sales to ALSF, with holiday treats, door prizes and complimentary gift wrap to sweeten the deal for shoppers (the flagship Jackrabbit store on Route 35 in Sea Girt will also be joining in the promotion).
THURSDAY: “Make a Difference” Darfur Fundraiser at BCC. The Performing Arts Center at Brookdale Community College is the setting for an event hosted by BCC’s History and Political Science Club, featuring guest speakers and presentations about the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. A $10 ticket enters you into a door prize drawing, and goods made in Darfur will also be available for purchase. Tickets for this public-welcome event are available at the information desk located in the Warner Student Life Center at BCC; contact (732)224-2500 or email for details and donations.
FRIDAY/ SATURDAY: Rumson Toy Drive. In the words of Lawrence D’angelo, the Rumson Department of Public Works “does more than just pick up trash.” And for two days this weekend, the DPW will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for needy kids during their tenth annual Toy Drive in the borough. Volunteers will be on hand at the Public Works garage (behind Rumson Borough Hall, 80 East River Road) Friday from 4p to 7p, and again on Saturday from 7:30a to 1p. Toys donated this year will be distributed by Family & Children’s Service of Long Branch, as well as The Salvation Army of Red Bank. D’angelo states that “This year we are looking to collect over a thousand toys for the first time” — and whether or not you’re a resident of Rumson, your efforts toward brightening a young neighbor’s holiday are greatly appreciated.
