Gaiss' Market to host toy drive for up to 200 Lower Township children

The Martinos know how important assistance will be this year for families in need...

PRESS RELEASE

VILLAS, NJ - Helping families in need this Christmas is longstanding Villas business, Gaiss’ Market. The Gaiss’ Market Toy Drive will support needy families in Lower Township, providing one toy for up to 200 children with a party on December 17th.

Toy donations are currently being accepted until December 11th and every person who drops off a toy at the Bayshore Road butcher will receive a coupon for 20 percent off.

Gaiss’ Market was purchased by former employee Anthony Martino along with his wife, Jamie, just before the pandemic in 2020. The Martinos have consistently supported the community and the toy drive will be the biggest community effort yet. 

“When I heard that the Lower Township toy drive would not happen this year due to the organizer retiring, I was really concerned for the kids,” said Tony Martino. “My mother always worked to provide for my sister and I but the toy donation was a big help at Christmas. Knowing how the event benefited my life, I thought why not continue that?”

Requirements for the toy drive are simple. Families must be Lower Township residents, and must pick up toys with their children on December 17th. Children must be between the ages of 1 and 12 years old. All applications will be reviewed and any accepted families will receive a confirmation email. Although most families will be approved, not all families are guaranteed to be accepted.

All details and the application are available at gaissmarket.com/toydrive

During the pickup event each child will have the chance to meet and speak with Santa and Mrs. Claus, receive a goodie bag with small toys and coloring pages, and enjoy hot cocoa with a cookie. Parents will receive one wrapped gift per child to take home.

“We’re confident that we will reach 200 children easily. If we receive enough gifts and donations to be able to provide for more kids, we will keep going,” said Martino. “Gaiss’ will be the toy headquarters and every customer that brings in a new, unwrapped toy will get a 20 percent off coupon for their purchase. We are extremely thankful to have such amazing customers that always support us.”

Gaiss’ Market is located on the corner of Bates and Bayshore Roads in Villas, NJ. The butcher and market features fresh, high quality beef, pork, and poultry, deli meats and cheeses, a wide selection of store recipe dips and sauces, and everything a traditional market sells. The store is open daily at 9 AM.

More information can be found at gaissmarket.com.