Rumson Department of Public Works’ 24th annual toy drive was a success.

“The Rumson DPW wants to Thank You for your support this Christmas Season. Hundreds of toys were collected and will be distributed to the Salvation Army and Child Family Services for this coming Holiday Season. THANK YOU!!” a social media by employee and Fair Havenite Nick Lenczyk said.

The usual goal for the drive is to get 1,000 unwrapped gifts gathered at the Rumson DPW garage on East River Road for distribution to those kids in need of some Santa magic. And it came pretty close this year.

But it’s not just a toy drive. It’s been an annual Rumson community gathering sort of tradition, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.

“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect in an interview years back. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”

And nothing has changed after 24 years of the newer Rumson holiday tradition. The holiday spirit of giving just gets more contagious, DPW guys say. The photos captured it. And hundreds of kids will have more under the tree this year.

— Photos/Rumson DPW & Nick Lenczyk

• Retro Fair Haven Stroll in a Winter Farmland
• Scene Around: Tree Time at the Firehouse
• In Memoriam: Little Silver-Raised Elaine Annarella, of Middletown, 71
• Rumson Police: No Early Morning Parking in Winter
• Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Travel Advisory Reminder