Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Event Raised 11 Tons Of Donations

WEST ORANGE, NJ — It’s one of the most popular holiday attractions in Essex County. And last year, it helped to gather more than 11 tons of non-perishable food, clothing and toys for in-need residents, county officials say.

More than 97,000 people visited the 11th Annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo during the 2017 celebration. During the free event, visitors were asked to make a donation to help the less fortunate.

They responded with open hearts, county officials said.

“This past winter, 22,543 pounds – more than 11 tons – of non-perishable food was collected for the Community FoodBank of NJ,” officials said. “In addition, 187 bags of new toys and 334 bags of winter coats and clothing were collected."

The items were donated to Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive, Foster and Adoptive Family Services in Monmouth Junction, Iglesia Cristiana Emanuel in Newark, Ivy Hill Elementary School Kid’s Closet in Newark, Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter, Living Logos Christian Assembly in Newark, Newark/Bloomfield Elks, NJPAC Toy and Coat Drive to benefit La Casa De Don Pedro in Newark, East Orange YMCA, United Baptist Church Clothing Ministry in Elizabeth and Willing Heart Community Center in Newark.

• See related article: Free Holiday Lights At Turtle Back Zoo Return For 2017

Donations collected over the years have amounted to more than 78 tons of non-perishable food, 339,630 toys and 17,968 winter coats, county officials said.

For 2017, the display included about 50 animal and holiday-themed figures that lit up the winter night. It took more than 1 million lights to power the display, officials said.

“These donations show the generous spirit and caring that exists in our community and certainly helped make a difference during the holiday season to those who need assistance,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

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File Photo: Essex County