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Despite the rain, by 8 o’clock a line had formed around the corner of the legendary Stone Pony on Ocean Avenue.

But those waiting in the long queue were not there to see a must see concert; after all it was 8 a.m.

They were city residents, there to participate in the Annual Asbury Park Toy Drive Holiday Distribution, the nonprofit’s signature event.

On line was 11-year-old Edgar Zuniga Rogas [above right], who planned on asking Santa for a Minecraft video game.

“This is my first time,” he said.

Behind the scenes another first time participant – 3½-year-old Fable Vitale [below left] was busy helping her father Kyle unload wooden boxes designed by her mother Alexis. The couple donated 600 of the keepsake holders to Asbury Park families.

“We wanted to teach Fable the true value of giving this holiday season,” Alexis Vitale said.

An estimated 550 Asbury Park children and their families were served by the Annual Asbury Park Toy Drive distribution Saturday at the legendary Stone Pony, founder Connie Breech said.

Each person received red and green nylon bags to fill with items from stations filled with school supplies, toys and games, as well as clothing and winter coats.  

“This is our third year,” said Eddie Olivera [above middle]. “It means a lot to have this kind of community support.”

Olivera said he and wife Herlina Martinez and their three children look forward to the event.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “Everybody is happy and it brings the community together.”

For Asbury natives Bobby and Kanesha Jones [below middle], the event is an opportunity to give back to their community.

“Kanesha grew up in the Boston Way and I grew up in Washington Village,” Bobby Jones said. “This is really a team effort. We can’t give these kids Nintendos or PlayStations but this is a little bit of what we can do.”

And what they did was organize over 100 volunteers to gather and distribute the thousands of items that were given to the Asbury Park families.

Behind the scenes help came from city residents and business owners who helped collect, deliver, sort, and man the various stations; and the team organized free trolley rides.  Food was donated by Windmill, Confections of a Rock $tar, Purple Glaze and Pepsi; and 94.3 The Point was running a $50 gift certificate raffle for Hoagitos. 

“We had close to 525 people sign up,” Breech said. “Our record was 535 but we’ll probably serve close to 550.” 

[Feature photo courtesy of Connie Breech]

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