Five-year-old Aidan Moreno from Huber Street Elementary School in Secaucus munched away on a cookie while his classmate Salman Dar twisted and bent a balloon during the New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) 14th annual children’s Christmas party held on Dec. 12 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus. Secaucus kindergartners from both Huber Street and Clarendon Elementary schools were part of an anticipated 1,000 children from across New Jersey who joined in the festivities of dancing, face painting, treats, and gifts.
“I think it is great. It is very well organized,” said Deputy Mayor John Bueckner, who stopped by the event. He said he served as a substitute after he retired and particularly enjoyed subbing for the younger grades. “Anything to do with kids, I love.”
“There is nothing more important to me than paying it forward.” — Heather Kamasa
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Founded in 1986, the NJAA is a statewide organization of apartment owners, managers, builders, developers and those involved in allied industries. The NJAA Charitable Fund is a year round effort by a group that is dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing to New Jersey families.
Holiday favorites
Tables were piled high with gifts for kids in attendance. Kids also had the chance to meet Santa. Five-year-old Ryan Travers said his favorite part of the day was the balloons, while Moreno looked forward to seeing Santa. Kindergartner Yash Shah looked forward to the “surprises.” Five-year-old Nicholas Sanchez from Clarendon shared that Power Rangers were on his wish list for Santa, while 5-year-old Deborah Biru said she hoped for a hamster because she “wants a little friend.”
Children danced up a storm to popular music hits alongside costumed characters like the pink
Care Bear and the Toy Story monkey.
Among the group, children from all economic levels were in attendance.
“We are going to have over 1,000 kids here. Some of which might not have much of a holiday season without today,” said Jeff Smith, president of NJAA.
“There is nothing more important to me than paying it forward,” said Heather Kamasa, volunteer chairperson for the NJAA charitable fund committee. “The goal is to watch every kid leave with a present and a smile.”
Kamasa is in her 10th year as the main organizer of the event. She works for Acadia Windows and Doors, which is a member of the NJAA.
Volunteer driven
Volunteer Monica Gilwa said she made sure kids participated in the activities and that they took turns dancing and getting their faces painted. Over 400 volunteers help make the NJAA charitable fund event a success, according Kamasa.
“We will be starting planning Monday for next year,” she said. “We certainly couldn’t do it without [Secaucus-based developer] Hartz Mountain who donated the space…and the food.”
Smith said, “We have hundreds of volunteers that work all year to arrange the event. Lots of our residents, and employees, and member companies participate on the day of the event and all year, whether it’s gathering toys or whether it is donating their time on committees or being here on the day of the event itself,” said Smith.
Since 1998, the NJAA has hosted a Holiday Party in December for over 1,000 underprivileged children throughout the state. Members take on the commitment of collecting toys through office and property toy drives and volunteering their time to ensure every child has a day of fun. NJAA represents managers and owners of more than 170,000 rental units throughout the state.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.