Toms River Super Bowl party helps homeless with free food, clothes, haircuts
TOMS RIVER - Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park will again host some very special guests Sunday for a unique Super Bowl party for those experiencing homelessness, and those in need in the community.
The party starts at 5 p.m. at Urban Air, 1256 Indian Head Road. Attendees and volunteers will watch the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs game together, and there will be free haircuts, clothing items and toiletries for guests.
Hot food will be served and there will be giveaways of items like grocery gift cards. Kids are welcome to enjoy bouncing at the Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park in Toms River while adults that volunteer watch the game, serve food, distribute clothing and network with other nonprofit agency volunteers.
The party aims to given those in need a special night out.
The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Toms River, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, and One Ocean County, an organization founded by Orthodox Jewish community activists that works to build bridges between people of different cultures and faiths.
Party organizer Avi Kotler said the Rotary Club donated $2,000 to put on the event, and the Jewish Federation gave $500.
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"Members of the (Rotary) club played a significant role in creating the event this year. Including connecting with numerous local nonprofits that the club has existing relationships with from their annual donation," Kotler said. The Rotary Club annually donates more than $100,000 to various local nonprofits.
Kotler said about 150 guests are expected at the party.
"Rotary of Toms River is excited to be a large sponsor of the Super Bowl party for people in need," said club president Dion Johnson.
For more information on the party, or to learn how you can volunteer or make a donation, contact Kotler by email, avi@OneOceanCounty.com or by phone/text at 732- 806-0261.
You also can donate at this link: https://buy.stripe.com/bIY9D9c7O4agdmU004.
The Toms River event evolved from the "Super Soul" parties started by Meir Kay, a New York filmmaker and social media influencer. Kay said he was inspired to start the event after an encounter in New York in 2017.
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On a freezing cold night, Kay said he saw a man holding a cardboard sign that read: "I don't want food. I don't want a drink — I just want someone to talk with."
Kay connected with the man by giving him attention, care and a hot meal.
“That experience changed my perspective on the world,” Kay said. “I knew I needed to let my fellow humans who are experiencing homelessness know that they are not alone, they are seen and to bring that awareness of the issue to local communities."
Super Soul parties are taking place all over the country on Super Bowl Sunday.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and writes about issues related to Superstorm Sandy. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River Super Bowl party helps homeless people in need
