November 28, 2023
LONG BRANCH, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Between 200 and 300 riders from the Blue Knights & Jersey Shore HOGs traveled to Monmouth Medical Center on November 26th for their Annual Toy Run, which was organized by Bill Blakely of Creative Performance.
Riders brought hundreds of toys for the children in The Unterberg Children’s Hospital (UCH) at Monmouth Medical Center. The group also brought a donation from The Elks Motorcycle Club to help support the Comprehensive Cystic Fibrosis Center at The UCH, the oldest and largest of the centers in New Jersey, offering patient care, teaching and research. The center — which includes both pediatric and adult programs — is accredited by the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is designated by the State of New Jersey as a referral center for Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening and has been designated as a Therapeutic Development Center by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutic Development Network.
Additionally, the Freehold Regional High School Football and Cheer Club worked with the two groups on a toy drive, and dozens of members of the club were on hand for the event.
“It’s always tough to be sick in the hospital when you’re a child,” said Jonathan Teitelbaum, Chair of Pediatrics at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital. “This type of event means the world to them – they get extra toys, and they know that the community really cares about them and wants them to get better.”
Front row from right, Robert Zanni, M.D., Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology, and Jonathan Teitelbaum, Chair of Pediatrics, gather with ride organizer Bill Blakely of Creative Performance, center, and riders from the Blue Knights NJ XV and Jersey Shore HOGs and local police departments.
Bill Blakely presents the donation for the Comprehensive Cystic Fibrosis Center at The UCH.
Dr. Zanni and Dr. Teitelbaum lend a hand unloading toys.
