Unfailing Love Ministries Annual Christmas Outreach will be held this year at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ on December 22nd. This is a time of celebration filled with lots of fun and laughter. We are beginning to collect new unwrapped toys and financial donations for the children.
All financial donations are greatly appreciated and can be sent to : Unfailing Love Ministries P.O. Box 134 Oceanport, NJ 07757. For all toy donations please contact Pastor Stacy at sdeerin@comcast.net for drop off locations
Our 4th annual presentation of Unfailing Love Ministries’ “Christmas Spectacular” was held on December 18th 2010 at the Neptune City First Aid Building, 97 West Sylvania Ave in Neptune City, New Jersey. The show in its 4th year is put on to spread holiday cheer throughout the community and provide toys for children less fortunate.
Unfailing Love Ministries’ annual Christmas Spectacular held at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Rudolph, Frosty, an original theatrical performance entitled “The Miracle”…Santa and Mrs. Claus brought every child a new toy!
Asbury Park— Local children did not need to travel to Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Saturday afternoon to see a spectacular Christmas show.
About 1,000 children and their families filled the seats of Paramount Theatre to watch the seventh annual presentation of Unfailing Love Ministries’ “Christmas Spectacular.” The show, in its seventh year, is put on to spread holiday cheer throughout the community and provide toys for children who are less fortunate.
“We love Asbury Park, and we love the community. It’s just the love of God that causes us to go out and touch people,” said the Rev. Stacy Deerin, who started the nonprofit organization in 2003 with her husband, Bill, to help families and communities that were in need spiritually.
The organization, partnered with Madison Marquette, gathered 1,300 toys that were handed out to the children, Deerin said. Any extra gifts are given to the Asbury Park Division of Youth and Family Services, she said.
Before sipping on hot chocolate and munching on cookies, the children waited anxiously for the lights to dim and Santa Claus to appear on stage. Sure enough, the jolly man himself opened the show with his rendition of some classic Christmas carols. The kids were treated to sing-along holiday tunes led by ministry volunteers and a theatrical performance by its theater group.
Friends of Santa’s, including Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph, and not so much of a friend of Santa’s, the Grinch, made special appearances throughout the show. Even Cinderella, Batman and the gingerbread man from the movie “Shrek” handed out candy canes to the crowd.
“We want to see Santa,” said Kimberly Brooks, of Asbury Park, who attended with her three children. “We’re always looking for something different to do. Otherwise, we just sit at the movies, and that’s getting expensive,” Brooks said. Brooks’ children, Nayshon, 11, Jayshon, 8, and Princess, 5, all agreed that the reason they came is to see Santa.
Wearing a red dress, white delicate gloves and peering through her gold-rimmed eyeglasses, Maureen Corcoran, or Mrs. Claus, said she participated in the show last year and came back for a repeat performance. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear about the spirit of Christmas,” Corcoran, of Basking Ridge, said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Asbury Park— Families bonding while sipping hot chocolate mixed with marshmallows. Children laughing and playing together. That was the scene Sunday evening at Paramount Theatre on Ocean Avenue.
Hundreds of children and families showed up for the Unfailing Love Ministries’ annual Christmas outreach. The purpose was to spread the holiday spirit by providing toys to hundreds of less fortunate children. Children re-enacted the story of Christmas and spent time chatting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and dance and interactive sing-alongs were featured.
“God just gave us a heart to touch this community with love,” said the Rev. Stacy Deerin. In 2003, she and her husband, Bill, of Oceanport launched the nonprofit organization to assist struggling communities and families spiritually.
“Just to see kids smile and have a day of fun is so worth it,” Stacy Deerin said. “This may be the only toy many of these children get for Christmas. But for us, the most important thing is to make sure we get the message of Christmas out.” The organization partnered with Madison Marquette, a real estate investment firm, to gather gifts for the youngsters.
Stacy Deerin said that when the outreach first started in the basement of Mount Pisgah Baptist Temple on Springwood Avenue, about 100 children attended. Last year, she said, the number jumped to more than 400 children, and they outgrew the church’s basement. Akilah Walker, 30, of Asbury Park attended with two of her three children. She began taking part in the Christmas outreach about three years ago. The outreach means a lot to the community because it “helps for a couple of hours for the kids to get off the streets,” she said.
“A lot of people look forward to it,” Walker said. “For me, it makes me feel good to share the holiday spirit with other people. This is one of the many times families can get together.”
Walker’s daughter, Ahdailah, 6, donned a green and red Christmas outfit. The girl served as the “baby master of ceremonies” of Sunday’s event. “I like being with my friends,” Ahdailah said. “I like being on the stage and seeing lots of people.”
Michelle Williams, 33, was present with eight children, five of whom were her own.
“It was very nice to do something for the community,” said Williams, noting that the day was educational and entertaining. “I don’t think most children in Asbury Park have seen a performance like this.”
A first-time participant, Williams said the event made her holiday better. “It’s nice singing Christmas carols, drinking hot chocolate with children in a good atmosphere.
Williams’ sister-in-law Deborah Weaver, 42, said the day is especially important because it shows cheerfulness in the community. “It shows children what the holiday is about,” Weaver said. “It’s good to show the kids that there is positivity in Asbury Park.”
