'Christmas for the Kids' to Benefit Borough Families

The Hopatcong community will once again come together for the annual Christmas for the Kids event that will benefit borough families in need during the holidays.

The ninth annual event, which will be held at St. Jude's Church from 6 to 11 p.m., will provide entertainment from local musicians and comedians, and also serve snacks, soda and beer.

The event is adults only and is asking for either an unwrapped gift or a Toys R Us gift card at a $25 suggested price for admission. All gifts will go to Hopatcong kids in need.

Billy Brennan, band member of Who's Johnny, organized the event with other band members and residents nine years ago, and said it has been growing ever since.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," he said. "People really latched on to it, they really enjoy it."

The event is made possible with the various local businesses who contribute, including The Liquor Factory, Lakeside Construction, Sabretti's Hot Dogs, and Sunnyside Landscaping.

Brennan, whose band will be taking the stage on Saturday, said organizers are expecting around 250 residents to come.

Food will be provided by the several hundred hot dogs Sabretti's is donating.

There will also be Irish dancing by the Peter Smith School of Irish dancing.

Brennan, who said "it's a good feeling around town right now," after they just performed at Pavinci's Hurricane Hopatcong Benefit, said his main goal is just for the kids to wake up on Christmas morning with a big smile on their face.

"I just hope that all the kids get what they want," he said. "That's been our goal ever since we started this thing."