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Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a host of community organized holiday celebrations, most benefiting the city’s youth and those in need of a holiday joy, meal and warm clothing.

There were the well-attended tree lightings at Convention Hall and then in Press Plaza, where soldiers from the National Guard’s Company B of Freehold helped spark the lights. But behind the scenes Fields Construction of Hoboken [currently at work on The Asbury Hotel, the boutique hotel project located at Fifth and Kingsley Avenues] stepped in at the last moment to help erect the Patterson Farm donated tree.

This year’s holiday window decorating contests was led by the city’s Quality of Life Committee and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. Taka won the business category’s top prize and Garret Giberson Jr won the best home decorating contest.

The Asbury Park Toy Drive, headed by Connie Breech, served over 500 families and Second Life Bikes on Main Street gave away over 100 kids’ bicycles.

The school district’s parent liaisons helped organize a free luncheon and toy giveaway sponsored in part by the Charity Kings and Sportz Farm. Santa arrived via fire truck to the Bangs Avenue Middle School event that served over 200 families.

A Kwanzaa celebration kicked off early at the Springwood Avenue Senior Center and on Christmas Day a line circled Langosta Lounge for their annual free holiday meal and winter clothing distribution.

Below is a gallery of images spotlighting the events:

Feel Free to share your best holiday images via our Facebook page!

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