Members of Mahwah PBA Local 143, who are heading up the township effort, have enlisted the various businesses to help collect the gifts (see list, below).
"There is nothing more special than seeing the happiness on a child’s face when opening a gift," Local 143 President Rosario Zito said.
The presents will eventually make their way to the Closter firehouse later this month.
After everything is sorted there, the "Santa Response Team" -- made up of members of 47 police agencies in Bergen County and Rockland -- will personally deliver toys to the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and other spots -- during the largest operation of its kinds in the Northeast.
The group this year is also doing more individual families than ever, said organizer Donald Nicoletti, a retired Closter police sergeant who helped launch the drive in 1988.
SEE: You Can Help Bergen PBA Toy Drive Bring Joy To Ill, Needy Youngsters
The final day for dropping off gifts in Mahwah is DEC. 19, Zito said. "This will ensure they are delivered on time," he said.
Drop-off locations in Mahwah:
- Mahwah Police Headquarters;
- Mahwah Bar & Grill;
- Acme;
- Mahwah Town Hall;
- The Mason Jar;
- Roxanne’s Restaurant;
- Sonny & Tony’s Restaurant;
- Esposito’s;
- Stateline Diner;
- Kingsbridge Diner;
- 7-Eleven on Franklin Turnpike;
- Citgo gas station;
- Bagel Express;
- Hyundai (Sales Department and Service Department;
- Ramapo College (Bradley Center);
- Ruff Cuts;
- Mahwah Honda;
- UPS;
- Jaguar;
- Flavor Fragrance
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