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It's All Smiles At Family Day 2008
Youth Services Provides Good Time At Annual Event
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo It was all fun and games at Family Day 2008, held at the Toms River Youth Services Center. For a whole gallery of photos from this event, visit our photo galleries at www.micromediapubs.com. |
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Toms River Township elementary school children and their families enjoyed a summer kickoff picnic last week at the township's Department of Youth Services Family Day 2008, held at the North Bay Avenue Facility.
All children were accompanied by an adult at the event, where more than 300 people had a lunch of hot dogs and chips.
"It's a good day and great for the families to see the services that are available to them," said Helen McGovern, deputy alliance coordinator.
The playground was filled with kids scaling the green and yellow climbing wall or swinging on swings and doing the limbo.
Diana Osborn juggled 3-year-old Mickie on the playground's new Eros gym playset as Bailey Corlies and Paris and Kyle Braden ran through the red and blue structure. Kids had fun going through a Toms River fire prevention smoke house tour, face painting, playing games and looking at the 4-H projects on display.
Amanda Bittel, 8, enjoyed a fluffy blue cotton candy while showing off the cat painted on her face.
Liz Dorick of Community Medical Center awarded a faux medal of honor to each child who hit a hole in one at a board game near her booth. Dorick also handed out health advice.
"The kids are having fun and learning the importance of nutrition and exercise," she said as she put a winning ribbon on Bernard Munzelle, 10, for his skill at the board.
Inside the youth building, information was readily available from county agencies and helmet safety tips. Safe Kids USA provided summer pool, car and backyard safety advice.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Department issued free ID cards. Pam Reinheimer with Kyle, 4, and Morgan, 8, said the identification cards could be lifesaving.
"My daughter is autistic," said the young mother. "This is very important to have." The cards have the children's fingerprints.
TEAM members who volunteered their services kept the picnic running smoothly. High school senior Greg Napolitano welcomed crowds with a smile along with Andrew Anderson and Joey Petruski.
The picnic coincided with the first week of summer camp at the youth services building.
Nancy Dolan sat and watched her 10-yearold granddaughter, Heather Petracco, play in the sandlot with friends.
"She absolutely loves the camp here," said Dolan. "Summer is long and the kids get bored. She meets a lot of friends here and if we want to go to the beach together or do something we take a day off from camp."
At the 4H- booth, Olivia Ginotti and Kacey Englund kept an eye on their rabbit, Finn, as Elsie Quigley showed off a baby goat.
"Four-H teaches the kids responsibility for animals," she said.
Kathy Van Ness and Kathy Holden, representing DYFS, had advice on foster care in New Jersey. "We also need adoptive parents. There are lots of children in New Jersey that need homes," said Holden.
Sparkle, the Ocean County recycle robot, had scores of friends and as he twirled around chanting, "reuse, recycle, reduce" the kids squealed and followed him around.
Arts and crafts delighted some youngsters who sat at picnic tables with TEAM kids. Ava Heaton and Ryan Nikola were busy stringing beads as Ava's mom, Kristie Heaton, looked on. "They're having great time," she said.
On the grounds, a long line of children waited to shimmy under a limbo pole. Camp kids wore their signature blue T-shirts.Although some children were young enough to walk clear under the limbo pole, they shimmied through anyway.
"We're having a great time," said David Brittany and Kelsey Gianna. "Today, we play."
McGovern said that the event wouldn't be possible without the sponsorship of the Municipal Alliance and the Toms River Elks Lodge 1875. The Toms River Police Foundation, Fire Prevention Bureau and Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA) also supported the event.
"We also thank all the volunteers from Together Everyone Achieves More, the peer leadership program in the Toms River High School District along with the CASA and Alliance volunteers."
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