By: Dick Brinster
The annual Toys 4 Kids drive is under way in Hightstown and East Windsor, and Joe McEneaney is gearing up for the arrival of the motorcycles that have become the program’s centerpiece event.
Mr. McEneaney, manager of K&B Tattooing on South Main Street in Hightstown, is a chief organizer along with members of the Policeman’s Benevolent Associations from the borough and East Windsor.
"This is our seventh year of involvement, and it seems to get better as we go," said Mr. McEneaney, who again will host the motorcycle show on Dec. 3. "That first year, we only got 60 toys and then to go to 500 and from one town to two is really good."
The East Windsor Police Department has conducted a drive for about 15 years, and is partnering with Hightstown Police for the third year. Borough police have staged 10 previous drives.
"The joy on kids’ faces when they get the toys is priceless," said Patrolman David Chenoweth, president of the Hightstown PBA, who plays Santa Claus. "We don’t ever want to see a child without gifts. We encourage anyone who knows someone that might need help at Christmas to call us."
The overall drive began Monday and runs through Dec. 13. The program concludes with a "wrapathon" Dec. 16, where volunteers prepare children’s presents at Hightstown police headquarters. That’s one of eight drop-off locations in the two municipalities.
The program gets a big boost today at the borough’s holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony with people being informed of the need to contribute through banners hung near the downtown bridge abutment were Peddie Lake meets Rocky Brook in Hightstown, and on the facade of K&B.
"We average about 100 motorcycles on that given Sunday (Dec. 3 this year) in the winters, which is pretty decent," Mr. McEneaney said last week as he hung out his banner. "Everybody brings a toy, we give away 15 trophies to the owners of the best-looking motorcycles."
There also are 30 door prizes given to spectators, which along with the trophies are donated by area people and businesses, Mr. McEneaney explained. He said toys again will be given to the Better Beginnings program for distribution to underprivileged children in the borough and township with what’s left going Hurricane Katrina victims and the Victory Junction program for children with serious medical difficulties operated in North Carolina by NASCAR great Richard Petty.
Mr. McEneaney lauds the efforts of businessmen and borough officials to make it convenient for cyclists and spectators on Dec. 3, when the machines will be on display near his business from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mr. McEneaney said owners of downtown parking lots have donated the use of their properties for display of the cycles, and that the borough will close South Main Street in front of his shop.
Commentary again will be donated by disc jockey Brett Gash of East Windsor. Mr. McEneaney said the Hamilton Harley Owners Group, sponsored by the World-Class Trenton Harley-Davidson dealership, forms the main group of participating cyclists.
One of the highlights of the program Dec. 3 is the police escort of cycles from his shop to borough police headquarters to drop off the presents, which Mr. McEneaney says usually range from matchbox cars to bicycles.
He hopes no one will be deterred by possible bad weather, even though snow last year forced a plowing of the street and virtually eliminated the display of motorcycles.
"Ninety-seven bikers showed up in their cars just to deliver presents," he said. "But there was one knucklehead who drove over on his motorcycle just so we would have one on display."
Toys 4 Kids drop-off locations
Contributions can be dropped off between now and Dec. 13 for the Toys 4 Kids drive at the following locations:
EAST WINDSOR
East Windsor Police Department, 80 One Mile Road
Cranbury Manor Exxon, Route 130 and Old Cranbury Road
Mack’s Carstar Collision, 574 Route 130
Randall Furniture, 385 Route 130
HIGHTSTOWN
Hightstown Police Department, 148 N. Main St.
K&B Tattooing, 140 S. Main St.
Old Hights Print Shop, 177 Mercer St.
Sun National Bank, 140 Mercer St.

