WMSC Community Insights: Newark Toys for Tots Spreads Holiday Joy Across Northern New Jersey

By Ben Capp | WMSC Community Insights – December 2025

Newark, NJ – As the holiday season reaches its peak, organizations across New Jersey are working tirelessly to support families in need. For the December edition of WMSC Community Insights, we spotlight the Newark Toys for Tots campaign, an organization dedicated to making sure every child experiences the joy of the holidays.

The Newark Toys for Tots campaign serves families across Essex, Bergen, Passaic, and Union counties, collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to children throughout the region. While Toys for Tots is a national program, the Newark chapter is still relatively new—now entering only its second year of operation under the leadership of Gunnery Sergeant John Sardine.

“This is actually the second year that the Newark chapter has been operating,” Sardine said. “When I retired from the military, they asked me if I would help the local campaigns—so this is now our second year here in Newark.”

The organization partners with more than 200 local businesses, schools, hospitals, police departments, and fire departments to host toy drives across the region. Once donations are collected, all toys are transported to a warehouse where volunteers sort them by age group and prepare packages for distribution to families and community organizations.

But this year, the demand is unlike anything they’ve seen before.

“This year the need is definitely greater than before,” Sardine said. “I’m getting tons and tons of phone calls and emails from families that are requesting help. The need is very, very great.”

According to organizers, the increase in need is tied to rising costs of living and broader economic challenges, along with lingering effects from earlier government shutdowns that limited military-based support for some campaigns.

Despite these challenges, volunteers remain the backbone of the entire operation. From distributing donation boxes in October, to sorting toys in December, to assisting with large-scale community distributions, the program relies heavily on community support.

“We rely on people giving their time—their weekends, their late nights—helping in the warehouse, picking up donations, and distributing toys,” Sardine explained. “That’s really how all of this works.”

Beyond logistics, the mission of Toys for Tots is deeply personal for Sardine. One experience in particular continues to shape his dedication to the organization. While delivering toys to a children’s hospital, he visited a secured unit reserved for terminally ill children.

“When I walked into the room, the kid lit up when he saw the Marine and the toys,” Sardine recalled. “From that day on, I told myself I would do Toys for Tots until they told me I couldn’t do it anymore.”

The Newark Toys for Tots campaign also emphasizes that its mission does not stop when the holiday season ends. The organization recruits volunteers and hosts community events throughout the year, including Christmas-in-July initiatives and other outreach efforts.

Community members who would like to support the effort can visit NewarkNJ.ToysForTots.org and click on the “Get Involved” tab to sign up as a volunteer, host a toy drive, or learn more about upcoming events.

As the season of giving continues, Newark Toys for Tots remains committed to its goal—bringing relief, hope, and holiday joy to families across Northern New Jersey.