Santa Run Saturday in Asbury Park Means Lots Of Red Suits

ASBURY PARK, NJ - The Santa Run returns to the city Saturday when a multitude of Santas will either run or walk a 5K race in support of charity Lunch Break, which feeds the hungry in Monmouth and beyond. When the run is done, the Wonder Bar will host an after party and live music with Brian Kirk and the Jirks, plus food and drink specials. Sponsors also will host a toy drive to provide local children with a happy holiday season.

Last year, more than 1,000 Santas participated, raising thousands for Lunch Break, according to the event Facebook page. The run begins at 10 a.m. at Bradley Park.

Advanced pickup will be 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Road Runner Sports in Shrewsbury. Organizers are urging Santas to pick up their materials in advance to assure a smooth race day.

Lunch Break will host a 50/50 raffle and a toy drive at the event. All proceeds from the 50/50 go to Lunch Break. Sponsors are encouraging all attendees to bring a gift for local families in need around the holidays.

There are a series of events which sponsors describe as alternative options for after the run: Option #1: Brian Kirk & The Jirks at Wonder Bar for those 21 and older. Admission is subject to bar capacity limits.

Option #2: brunch at Anchor's Bend. The eatery will donate 5 percent of all Santa Run business to Lunch Break.

For a more sober alternative, try Option #3: the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar at Convention Hall which features handcraft and vintage vendors in both the Grand Arcade and Convention Hall proper; holiday photos with Little Detour Photo Booth, music by Audra Mariel & A Real Human Jazz Band and DJ TYTY.

The event is described as kid-friendly and at the holiday bazaar from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. children's crafts will be offered including a holiday cards workshop with Cassie Bees Studio from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Food and drink also will be available here from Anchor's Bend, Oyster Bar and at the hot drink and fireplace lounge.

About Lunch Break: the germ of the idea came from a January 1983 meeting when 35 people gathered at the Friends Meeting House in Shrewsbury to discuss hunger in Monmouth County. They committed themselves to help the community members who find it difficult to provide the bare necessities for their families.

Two months later, Rev. Terence Rosheuvel provided the basement of the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Red Bank to serve hot lunches. In 1985, Lunch Break moved to the Masonic Temple on Bergen Place and expanded its services to include the provision of groceries to families.

Community demand quickly increased beyond the capacity of the temple and Lunch Break leaders began to investigate the construction of a permanent, independent facility. In 1986, through combined efforts of many contributors and a large grant from the state, Lunch Break opened the doors to its current facility at 121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank.

In 1992, Saint Leo’s started supplying bagged lunches on Saturday to be distributed to clients.
Along with staff, Lunch Break is helped by more than 1,500 annual volunteers, with approximately 70 volunteers serving in several capacities on a regular basis, according to the charity website.

Asbury Park's second annual Santa Run is set for Saturday. Photograph by Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press.