South Jersey Citizens Delivers to Mayor's Toys for Tots

Mayor David Mayer typically doesn't like what South Jersey Citizens (SJC) members bring to Township Council meetings.

The conservative watchdog group is known to bring criticism, as its members and Mayer, a Democrat, and Council members often find themselves at odds on the best courses of action for the township to take.

On Monday, the mayor and SJC leadership put aside their political differences and found themselves shaking hands and posing together for a photograph in the name of bringing smiles to needy children's faces.

SJC Executive Director Tom Crone, SJC political director Joshua Berry and his girlfriend, SJC membership director Beth Holzman, and Holzman's daughter, Fiona Gallagher, delivered a wagon-load of toys for the annual Mayor's Toys for Tots campaign during Monday night's Council meeting.

"Tonight, we wanted to take a few minutes to recognize that we have some people in town who may not be doing as well as some of us," Crone said. "We at South Jersey Citizens—we have enough, so we're going to share with those who don't and give to the mayor's campaign for Toys for Tots."

A storage closet already filled with toys, the SJC donation became the first load of toys to take up temporary residence in an overflow room located just off Mayer's office.

"I want to thank Mr. Crone and Mr. Berry and Fiona and the members of their organization for their participation in the Mayor's Toys for Tots program," Mayer said. "Each year, it's a tradition here in Gloucester Township that the Mayor's Office collects toys and distributes those toys to needy families in our community."

The mayor is hopeful that overflow room gets filled up over the next two weeks.

Anyone wishing to support the Mayor's Toys for Tots drive can drop off a new toy to the Mayor's Office at the municipal building Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Distribution of the toys is slated to begin around Dec. 12.

Speaking of the holiday season—Mayer noted two upcoming events to get you in the spirit of the season during Monday's meeting.

This Saturday, the annual Blackwood Fire Co. Christmas Parade will be held along the Black Horse Pike. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec. 11, the township's second annual tree-lighting ceremony will be held in Lt. Col. Samuel M. Siler Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 6 p.m.