Non-profit partners with local restaurants to deliver toys to N.J. kids – NJ.com

A Verona-based non-profit organization, Essex Elves, delivered over 750 toys to an Essex County hospital and soup kitchen this week with the help of three local restaurants.

Over $18,000 in toys for sick and underprivileged children were delivered to St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark on Tuesday and Clara Maass Hospital in Belleville on Wednesday as part of the toy drive which was dubbed “Tommy’s Toys,” according to a release from Essex Elves.

The organization teamed with Michael’s Roscommon House in Belleville, Luna Wood Fire Tavern in Nutley, and Frank Anthony’s in Verona to offer discounts on food with the donation of a new or unused toy.

Donation boxes were set up at each of the three restaurants and information about the discounts and toy drive was blasted on social media before the toys were collected from Dec. 17-Dec. 20.

“The toy drive increased traffic to the establishments during a time when many local businesses are struggling with COVID-19 restrictions,” the organization said in the release.

The founding members of Essex Elves who have known each other many years, Kyle Baker of Belleville, Anthony Huber of Verona, Christopher DeCarlo of Belleville, and Mark Hahn of Nutley, thanked all those who helped them deliver the gifts this year and organize the effort.

”Every child should have toys to open on Christmas morning,” Baker said.

Huber said he was wowed when he saw the total amount of toys donated.

“This really shows that there’s still a lot of good in the world,” he said.

The toy drive was named in honor of Tommy Herrmann, a childhood friend of the group of founders, who passed away in a tragic accident in July 2017.

“He was the most giving person that I have ever met,” Baker said. “I just know he would be leading this toy drive himself.”

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.