Rumson Residents Set Record In 2020 With Annual Gift Drive

RUMSON, NJ - With social distancing guidelines and added safety protocol in place, the Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW)'s annual toy drive on Dec. 11 and 12 still saw record-breaking donations made this year with 900 total gifts donated.

An additional $4,000 in cash and gift card donations were also made, officials confirmed.

The annual gift collection has been a local volunteer project for over 20 years, according to municipal officials.

“We have been overwhelmed with the community’s response to this year’s event,” DPW Superintendent Mark Wellner said. “21 years ago we collected close to 150 gifts. Today, we are proud to announce more than 900 gifts have been safely collected and donated to those in need this holiday season.”

Wellner and the members of the DPW presented a check of more than $3,000 to Family and Children’s Services (FCS) on Dec 15. The Salvation Army of Red Bank also collected the donated gifts for distribution.

Last spring’s Green Day - an opportunity for residents to safely and securely shred personal documents and recycle old electronic devices - featured similar safety guidelines. Prior to arrival at the donation dropoff area, residents were asked to place all gifts in the trunks of their cars for members of the DPW staff to collect while masked.

“This process allowed residents to enter and exit the municipal complex without exiting their vehicles,” the DPW said in a statement.

“Rumson DPW thanks the community for their continued support over the last 21 years. Spring Green Day is scheduled to return to Rumson in 2021, utilizing similar social distancing guidelines and safety measures.”