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Asbury Park Toy Drive Founder Connie Breech said a larger community responded to the needs of a mother of four who lost everything in last week’s house fire.

Sherrice Lyles and her children were displaced after a charging hoverboard sparked and caused fire, smoke and water damage to her Prospect Avenue home.

The Jersey Coast Chapter of the Red Cross placed the family in a Long Branch hotel but now they will move to another location until the home is refurbished, said Breech, who launched a donation campaign to help the family.

“They will be moving back into the house once the clean up and renovation is completed, hopefully in a few weeks,” Breech said. “They will be relocated tomorrow to another site for the duration.”

Lyles works as a parent liaison at Bradley Elementary School in Asbury Park and is the founder of Wish Upon A Prom, an annual event that donates formal attire to high school students across Monmouth County. She also works with Charity Kings nonprofit in organizing Back to School and Christmas holiday drives.

Lyles said she moved into the home five days before the blaze and had used much of her savings to furnish the home and purchase her children’s back to school uniforms and supplies, all lost due to the fire damage.

When Lyles returned to the home the following day for an interview with News 12, she was met by Mayor John Moor, Breech, and Asbury Park Education Association President John Napolitani, who came to offer personal support and immediate financial assistance.

Breech said she estimates that over $5,000 was collected in gift cards and monetary donations was collected from the Friday and Monday drives held at Diane Turton Realtors and Hotel Tides. Lyles and Breech traveled via U-Haul to pick up furniture and household items donated by Maurizio LoMagno of Marlboro, who is moving to Florida.

“I’ve dropped off three SUV’s [full of items] already and a handful of cards and cash and took her shopping for necessities the other day,” Breech said. “The community really reached out and the school district is still collecting.”

Asbury Park Democratic Committee Chair Joe Grillo said net proceeds from their campaign fundraiser with special guest Sheila Oliver, gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s running mate, will be donated to the family. Breech said the Toy Drive will use the money to buy needed items for the family moving forward.

The Asbury Park Toy Drive began in 2000 as a way to support the needs of Asbury Park’s youth during the holiday season, and although that remains its core mission, the nonprofit has expanded its efforts to include Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day events, as well as an annual backpack and school supply collection and coat drive.

Their Annual Back 2 School Fundraiser will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Georgies Bar, located at 810 Fifth Avenue. This year’s event features a light buffet and the return of the Dunk Tank, Breech said.

“This year’s Dunk Tank will feature a vast array of supporters willing to get dunked for a good cause,” she said. “We will have politicians, past and present and maybe future, fire and police, and a nice selection of local business owners and managers. We may also have a few surprises.”

Donation boxes will be located at Asbury Park Roastery, Dark City Brewery, Booskerdoo, and Georgies through Labor Day weekend, she said.

The Asbury Park Toy Drive is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information, e-mail asburyparktoydrive@aol.com, phone 732-312-7359, or visit their website and Facebook page. Monetary and gift card donations may be mailed to  PO Box 1469 Asbury Park NJ, 07712.

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