Police 'raid' benefits families

MONMOUTH BEACH - Borough police "raided" the upscale Channel Club Tower, confiscating and removing new and used clothing and toys collected by the condominium residents.

Police Chief Richard White, Officer Aaron Rock and Outreach Program Committee Chairwoman Myron Kaller then delivered the donations to Lunch Break in Red Bank, Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch (toys only) and First Baptist Church in Asbury Park.

According to all concerned the "police raid" was so successful it will be continued all year long.

"We got the idea originally after Katrina hit New Orleans," Kaller said in a press release.

"Our condo association quickly approved use of a spare corner room to gather the donations and unit owners and even their adult children and friends started filling our bins. Every week, we make deliveries."

Beneficiaries will be churches and hospitals that have free distribution facilities and procedures in place. All items collected go directly to families in need.

White and his team will be pleased to book a "police raid" for any group that wants to gather donations. To schedule an event, call Shelly at the Monmouth Beach Police Department at (732) 229-1313. Also available on request is a "how to" kit of information to help groups put together a donation program.