Fair Lawn Police Benevolent Association Hosts Holiday Toy Drive

FAIR LAWN, NJ — For many families this holiday season, budgets will be tighter, and long-standing traditions may be altered due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In Fair Lawn, the Policeman's Benevolent Association Local #67 is trying to offset some of those challenges.

The PBA, along with the Fair Lawn Police Department, have joined forces with other PBAs throughout Bergen County to facilitate a holiday toy drive to benefit kids in need, according to a recent news release.

"This year has been such a challenge to so many families," said Fair Lawn Police Officer Michael O’Brien, who is also the Toy Drive Committee Chairperson, in a statement.

O'Brien's observation is backed up by New Jersey Department of Labor statistics.

According to the Department of Labor, approximately 1.8 million New Jersey residents have filed for unemployment since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Though the number of claims has been going down in recent weeks, the impact on the region is still felt.

In October, the unemployment rate reported by the Department of Labor was 8.2 percent.

Those numbers serve to add perspective as to why the toy drive is a little more urgent this year. So much so that the PBA has kick-started the giving with their own donation.

"We need toys & gift cards more than ever before. The members of the police department recognized the overwhelming need, met at a recent PBA meeting and voted to start this year’s drive rolling with a donation of $3000 for toys & gift cards."

This year, local toy collection sites are set up at Fair Lawn Police Headquarters, 8- 01 Fair Lawn Ave., and at Radburn Exxon, 22-20 Fair Lawn Ave.

SERVPRO of Northeast Bergen County and others have pledged their continued resources & monetary support, including these local businesses, according to the PBA:

• Inserra Supermarkets
• One Oak Medical
• Tri-Boro Auto Body
• Radburn Car Care
• New Jersey Landscape Solutions
• Minutemen Press
• American Graphics

The PBA noted that Fair Lawn businesses and residents have generously given in the past, but, amid the coronavirus pandemic, are hoping to see an even greater participation in 2020.

"This year’s goal is to collect even more toys & gift cards to ensure kids in need receive that much needed light of hope," said the PBA, in a news release.

"We must do everything that we can to help children & families in need,” added O’Brien. “By working together, I know that we can exceed last year’s collection of toys and bring even more smiles to kids in need."

Along with toy & gift card donations, monetary donations are also being collected. The last collection date is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18.

Checks can be written to Fair Lawn PBA Local #67 and mailed to: P.O. Box 276, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 (Kindly reference the ‘2020 Toy Drive’ in the memo section).

For questions & additional information, please contact Police Officer Michael O’Brien at 201-796-1400 or at mobrien@fairlawnpd.com.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact montana.samuels@patch.com.