Night Out Festivities In Manalapan Also Benefit Leukemia Society

MANALAPAN, NJ — The National Night Out on Tuesday in Manalapan will be a community gathering both for fun and to help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Jersey, police say.

National Night Out, which began in 1984, has become an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and "neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live," according to the organization's website.

Here in Manalapan, the event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the P.C. Richard & Son store, 55 Route 9. The appliance and electronics store has been a longtime supporter of the event, police say.

The evening will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, bounce houses, raffle prizes, and free food, according to the police Facebook page.

It features Explosive Entertainment and a special appearance by Princess Anna and Cinderella, according to the flyer for the event.

Patrolmen Ross Dessel and Joe DeFilippis are the community policing officers in town and are organizing the event.

"This is a big return after COVID," said Dessel. He said there was a more limited event last year after none in 2020.

"It's a family event that brings the community together," he said. And it's an opportunity for the police to create bonds with the community, he added.

Dessel said there will also be a table dedicated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the event, which helps raise funds for the organization.