POINT PLEASANT — Clark’s Landing Yacht Club, 847 Arnold Ave., and The Mill Lakeside Manor, 1309 Ocean Road, in conjunction with Friends of JJ, are hosting a toy drive throughout November and December.
This drive is an initiative to collect toys for children and families who will be spending their holidays in the hospital.
The drive will be running through Dec. 17. The venues will be collecting new and unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Toys can be dropped off at either location or can donate via their Amazon Wishlist.
To donate via the wishlist, visit Friends of JJ on Instagram (instagram.com/friends_of_jj) or Facebook (facebook.com/friendsofjjinc) and either scan the QR code or follow the appropriate links.
Jacqueline Truesdale, general manager of the venues, said, “We are proud to partner with Friends of JJ, a nonprofit founded in memory of one of our past bride’s brother, JJ Messana, who passed away at 27 after an eight-year battle with pediatric cancer.”
Diagnosed at 20, JJ Messana was treated in the pediatric wing at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where he formed strong connections with younger patients and brought smiles and positivity to children and families facing similar challenges.
After his death in 2014, his brother and sister, Brenna and Chris Messana, worked with their family to establish Friends of JJ to continue his mission of making children smile.
Truesdale said, “Our connection to Friends of JJ is a deeply personal one. JJ and his wife Amanda were married at Clarks Landing Yacht Club on June 30, 2012, with Nicole Hoffman as their wedding coordinator.”
After JJ Messana’s passing, Clarks Landing honored his memory with a $15,000 donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering with the proceeds of that year’s Alumni Ball.
“Over time, our relationship with Friends of JJ has blossomed, and the Annual Toy Drive has become a cherished tradition within our Clarks Landing community and later expanded to The Mill Lakeside Manor, our sister venue in Spring Lake,” said Truesdale. “Every year for our Alumni events, holiday photos and holiday brunch, we ask our couples to bring new and unwrapped toys to donate to the Friends of JJ organization.”
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