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Less than two weeks after the annual Asbury Park Fishing Club Flea Market was held at Convention Hall, club President Joe Pallotto distributed over $5,000 in proceeds to charitable organizations throughout Monmouth County.

And while groups like Clean Ocean Action, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and the annual Spring Lake Trout Tournament for Kids made the cut, concentration was given to local organizations.

“As is the practice of our membership, proceeds from the flea market are donated to many local associations,” Pallotto said via a written statement read by Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn during Wednesday night’s City Council Meeting. “As an expression of our commitment to Asbury Park, it is with great pride that I present to the City Council the following checks to organizations that directly benefit the citizens of our city.”

Those organizations included the Harold Daley VFW Post 1333, Boys and Girls Club Of Monmouth County, Asbury Park Little League, the local Big Brother Big Sister of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties, the Professional Firefighters Association of Asbury Park, and the Asbury Park Toy Drive.

“We want to thank the Asbury Park Fishing Club for being supportive of us,” said Post Commander Frank Brogna. “As you know it’s the oldest salt water fishing club in the United States.”

Asbury Park Little League President Daniel McKee said the $2000 donation will be used, as in the past, to fund a week-long summer trip to the Williamsport for kids ages 10 to 14.

This year’s event marked the Fishing Club’s Silver Anniversary.

“It was close to the highest attendance we’ve had, especially for such a brutally cold day,” Pallotto said in a telephone interview. “Every year we have people who wait on line to get certain plugs that they want to buy from six or seven of the guys that are really sought after.”

Pallotto said when he arrives at 5:30 a.m. to begin event set up, he’ll find a line of 100 people waiting for the 9 a.m. entrance time, many who sleep on the boardwalk overnight [concert ticket or new technology buying style]. The club’s 150 members help with the behind the scenes organization.

“We really couldn’t do it without all the members that help volunteer,” Pallotto said. “And, Madison Marquette does a great job for us, especially Chris Femiano. He’s a great ambassador for them.”

Mayor John Moor said the Fishing Club has been very generous throughout the years.

“This could not be done without Jean P,”  Mayor John Moor said in paying tribute to Pallotto’s mother Jean, who passed away the morning of the event.

In responding to Moor’s Wednesday night’s mention of the Asbury Park Little League players hand written thank-you notes, Pallotto said, “They send me little cards and they send me pictures and talk about their time at the camp in Williamsport. I get 8 or 9 thank you notes from them each year, which is nice.”

For more about the Asbury Park Fishing Club, click here.

[Feature photo courtesy of the Fishing Club]

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