Off the track: NJ Motorsports gives coats to 500 kids

MILLVILLE – The focus at the New Jersey Motorsports Park shifted from speed to need Friday with more than 500 youngsters getting new winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves.

School buses, arriving on a staggered schedule, dropped students from 17 Cumberland County schools at the park’s Officers’ Club, where they were welcomed and paired with a personal assistant.

“We lucked out with a private field trip,” said Andre Thompson of Durand Elementary School in Vineland.

Community backing Millville football team

It’s the ninth year the park’s Green Flag Committee hosted the “Coats for Kids” party, which is held the first Friday in December to coincide with Santa’s schedule, said Don Fauerbach, the committee’s founder.

The first year, they invited 188 students to pick out a free coat.

By year two, the party was moved to a larger venue to accommodate more than 500 youngsters.

This year, the committee amassed an inventory of 1,014 coats to ensure children found one they liked that was a perfect fit, Fauerbach said

Patty Mackie of Millville Public Schools served as the official greeter, ushering students to the second-floor party room where they were teamed with a volunteer “elf.”

A crew from U.S. Silica, who donated some coats, enjoyed helping the youngsters select jackets.

“They are not shy, they know what they like,” said Andrew Garrison, a U.S. Silica storekeeper, getting in line to lead another group of “shoppers” through the selection of winter wear and books.

“It’s worth it just to see the smile on their faces,” Garrison said.

Giving trees bloom at Vineland school

Larry Malone of Colonial Flowers in Millville said he raised a son, but girl shopping was a new, and rewarding, experience.

Volunteer elves were usually teamed with two students.

But Darla Dallett, Christina Torres and Nicole Lolley of Max Leuchter Elementary in Vineland made a plea not be separated. Malone agreed to take on the trio if they vowed to stick together.

“She’s my best friend,” Christina said.

Darla confirmed that.

“We met on the bus,” she said.

World War II veterans' stories get museum premiere

Malone quickly mastered the skills needed to shop with young women. He patiently held their bags, juggled hangers and kept a firm grip on coats that were still considered contenders.

“I feel like I’m at the mall,” one of the girls said, making her way through the coat racks.

Half the stock is donated, the other half is purchased through Forman Mills and Boscov’s, which offer generous discounts, Fauerbach said.

Atlantic City Electric, South Jersey Gas Co., Bottino’s ShopRite, Ocean First Bank and U.S. Silica contribute to “Coats for Kids,” Fauerbach said, adding numerous car clubs and the park’s crew also donate items.

Nicole chose a puffy pink coat.

“It’s my favorite color,” she said.

Darla found an animal print she liked.

“She said yes to the coat,” cheered Malone.

Christina, who hoped for a light blue coat, found exactly what she wanted.

Malone was helpful when the girls chose matching accessories.

“I am a florist,” he said, joking when complimented on his color suggestions.

Then they were off to pick a book, visit Santa, and enjoy a child-friendly buffet of macaroni and cheese, beans and franks, and chicken nuggets.

Chocolate milk came in glasses wide enough to encourage cookie dunking.

Andre and his buddy David Hill, also of Durand School, modeled their similarly styled green and camouflage jackets and gloves.

“We got different hats and books," David said. Good planners, the boys left their old coats on the bus so they could wear their new winter coats home.

Noval Marshall of R.D Wood School in Millville was pleased with his blue and gray coat.

How many did he try on?

“One,” he said, knowing immediately it was “The One.”

Camille Howard, a Wood School counselor, said “Coats for Kids” is a great help to her school, where 97 percent of families qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.

Families appreciate “the extra help this close to the holidays,” Howard said.

Prophettes Johnson-Adams, of Dane Barse School in Vineland, enjoyed the lunch.

“It was awesome,” Prophettes said, noting she hopes to open her own restaurant one day.

Before heading home warmly wrapped in a new purple and pink coat, she did visit Santa to refresh his memory about her wish list item.

Prophettes whispered what she told him.

“A cookbook,” she said.

.Deborah M. Marko: (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj