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The Annual Back To School Block Party held over the weekend helped ready 300 students for the new school year, city officials have announced.

“We are grateful to the community and our sponsors for their generosity,” Mayor John Moor said. “Every donation helps us provide the students of Asbury Park with the tools they need to start a successful school year.”

Held at the Donald Hammary Sr Community Courts on Prospect Avenue, the event is a collaboration with the Asbury Park School District and Charity Kings, with support from the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the Kazeek Brothers. Support also came from Sen Vin Gopal and Assembly members Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling, who ran their own back to school drive to help support the local students.

And this year, the municipality conducted its own drive.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to our first annual Back to School Supply Drive,” said Director of Community Development Cassandra Dickerson. “It shows that our community is committed to taking care of our children. We’re especially thankful to the Chamber of Commerce, T&M Associates, and our newest partner, New Hope Chiropractic, who helped make this event a success.”

The Block Party was created to help support students by providing them with free school supplies while helping them to celebrate the end of the summer, City Spokeswoman Sonia Spina said. The family fun event featured a free cookout, games, arts and crafts, face painting a petting zoo with pony rides, and a train rides. The Asbury Park Public Library gave away free books and pencil cases.

Event participants include Acelero Learning Head, Asbury Park Beach Box, Care on the Square, College Achieve, Community Affairs Resource, District 11 Legislative Offices,  Hackensack Meridian, Hope Academy Charter School, Jersey Shore Ques, Konscious Youth Development, Morning Glory Health, Monmouth County Boys & Girls Club, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Prevention First, Wellspring Center for Prevention and VNA Health Group/Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance.

The event was sponsored by Alphabets Preschool, Anywhere Vision, Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, AP Brewery, Baby Boot Camp, Berkshire Hathaway, The Center, Kearney Bank, Momentum Mortgage, NJ Advance Media, Nita Ideas, QuickMeds Pharmacy, ReMax Gateway, Sportz Farm, T&M Associates, Triumphant Life, Westside Citizens United, and Words Book Store.

For more information on the City of Asbury Park, visit www.cityofasburypark.com.

[Photos courtesy, in part, of Councilwoman Eileen Chapman]

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