Every year, Danny White, owner of Beach Music Studios in Belmar, hosts a holiday party for families of his students to attend at the historic Stone Pony in Asbury Park. He usually asks families to bring one unwrapped toy to be donated to Manna House, a home in Cliffwood Beach for abused mothers. Although the seventh annual event, slated for Dec. 9, won’t forget about Manna House, it will be expanded to help many of White’s own students and other local children who sustained severe losses due to Sandy. The public is encouraged to attend and help these children while enjoying entertainment by many popular local musicians.
“This year, due to the storm and displacement of a lot of families, I want to collect the toys for displaced kids and families in Belmar specifically, and the surrounding areas that are in need,” said White. “My band, Danny White Band, performs along with the kids’ band The Beach Music Rock Band and other kids who take lessons at the studio. I have also asked many cornerstone Belmar guys, such as Pat Roddy and his band, to help out this year, as well as Tom Brennan and his band Shore Blue. Tom is also the band teacher at Belmar Elementary School. We all live near each other in Belmar.”
Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty and White will hold a holiday party at Borough Hall in Belmar at a later date, at which the mayor will distribute the toys to the children of Belmar and surrounding communities.
“We usually have about 500 folks come out, but we’d like to sell it out at 800 people,” White said. He is hoping to help as many children as possible. White, with the help of the township and the local elementary school, will determine who gets the gifts.
“A handful of my students have lost their homes and/or their cars,” White said. “Families a couple of streets over took a big hit and all the businesses took a big hit. A family who lives on 8th Avenue, almost up on Main Street, their basement flooded, the foundation was eaten away, and they lost their home. Many homes on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th were affected, and an Avon family lost their home and a Shark River Hills family did too. Cars floated away and people have difficulty getting to work and may not have the money to get a new car. Kids still need to have a good holiday season, so if we can get a few bags of toys to them, we can help.”
Doors will open for The Beach Music Studios annual holiday party at the Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 9. People of all ages are welcome to attend. There will also be raffles, prizes and giveaways supplied by many local businesses in Belmar and beyond, as well as the NHL and the New York Rangers.
Tickets for the party are $10 and all ticket-holders are asked to bring at least one unwrapped toy per person. Suggested ages for gifts range from around 7 to 15. White suggests iTunes cards and any music-related items, but all kinds of gifts are appreciated.
Advance tickets can be picked up at Beach Music Studios, 808 Belmar Plaza. Those who can’t attend the event, but wish to drop off toys and donations may also do so there.
For more information, call 732-280-1181, visit www.Beachmusicstudios.com or friend Beach Music Studios on Facebook.