Oldies 100 (WJRZ-FM) in conjunction with the Pepsi Bottling Group will host the fifth annual “Share the Joy” live broadcast from Foodtown on Highland Boulevard, adjacent to Route 37, Toms River. The event will be held Nov. 19 and continue until a 45-foot Pepsi tractor is filled with nonperishable foods, gently used clothing and new unwrapped toys for those in need.
Local charities that will benefit include Ocean County Hunger Relief, Children’s Specialized Hospitals in Toms River, the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Toys for Tots.
The live broadcast will begin at 5:30 a.m. with donations being accepted as of 6 a.m. Many family activities and giveaways are planned for the event.
Ocean County Hunger Relief (OCHR) will benefit from all of the food and clothing donations. OCHR consists of 300 volunteers manning 35 pantries throughout the area. The pantries are housed in churches, community centers and temples, serving more than 30,000 needy people last year. Through its efforts OCHR has also enlisted the help of the business community in its fight against hunger. For more information on the programs offered through OCHR, contact (732) 505-HELP.
Returning once again to accept new, unwrapped toy donations are Ocean County Toys for Tots as well as Children’s Specialized Hospitals of Toms River. Both charities have been a part of “Share the Joy” for the past four years. Toys for Tots distributes thousands of toys a year to needy children all over the country by way of its regional distribution centers. Children’s Specialized Hospitals uses its toys for distribution during its “Holiday Gift Wrap Program” for its patients.
The National Breast Cancer Founda-tion will benefit from any monetary donations collected. The foundation’s main focus is to promote the importance of early detection as well as funding various research programs all over the country. In addition, Pepsi will match the amount collected throughout the event through the “Pepsi Match” program.
Many area businesses have donated prizes to be awarded back to the community in gratitude for its support of the collection. These items will be awarded randomly at the conclusion of the collection.
Oldies 100 is also planning to host a party at Martell’s in Point Pleasant beach in the near future to extend its gratitude to those who donate items to help the station meet its goal. Each person who donates to the drive will receive a special pass to attend the party.