by Emma Sylvia
This holiday season at the West End Arts Center, the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch will host their Second Annual Festival of Trees, a fundraiser wherein local businesses purchase and decorate trees – with around 250 trees in total – and display them for the community to see. The event — which runs Fridays to Sundays, Dec. 12-14 and 19-21 — is free to attend, and will also include children’s games, appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a trolley ride, musical entertainment, a van serving coffee and hot chocolate, and more.
“There are kids who can’t afford to go on the polar express, so I wanted to give them the same type of feel. We’re thrilled,” says Terry Janeczek a member of the Rotary Club who spearheaded the event.
The fundraiser has evolved since last year, when it made its debut in Long Branch. When the Rotary Club first began, they only had about 30 trees sold. Now, with enhanced promotion and a lot of buzz, they’re looking forward to many more participants and many more Long Branch residents enjoying the displays in 2025.
Janeczek is also the Chairman of the Jingle Bell Buddies Program, which was started in 2021 to help bring extra holiday cheer to local families in need. The Rotary Club partners with the school system in order to work with the families.
“Guidance counselors meet with every member of the family, and [the families] get a chance to talk about what they really need,” Janeczek elaborates. “We’ve had kids ask for everything from mattresses to toys. One kid asked for glasses. We've had Chromebooks for kids to do their work at home, and sneakers for kids who want to feel like everyone else. It’s very fulfilling. I’ve had mothers ask for winter coats and fathers ask for work boots.”
On top of those physical gifts, the club also provides food for the family for the holiday week. Since the school systems are closed during the holidays, many kids that rely on school for their breakfast and lunch are unable to be sustained during winter break. “When school is closed, food is scarce. We make sure they have enough food – and good food – for the holiday.”
Rotary Club: A Background
Rotary club is a staple of many communities. Rotary includes a global network of more than 1.4 million people, part of more than 46,000 clubs, who work to enhance and improve their communities and the lives of those that live in them. Understanding that local change makes a local impact, Rotary works in over 200 countries in order to unite communities and plan events, such as fundraisers like the Festival of Trees, in order to bring in funds, fun and community spirit to towns across the world.
The Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch will be working with Interact Club, a club at Long Branch High School, which serves as the youth version of Rotary. The student members will be taking photos at the Festival of Trees to raise money for Interact.
Aside from these programs, Rotary has a Gift of Life program to help build facilities in other countries, they send shelter boxes during national disasters to other countries, have raised funds for Ukraine, and also take part in local events like beach clean ups and supporting food banks.
“I think of all the things we do for the community, and it’s a lot,” Janeczek recounts.
The motto of Rotary is “service above self,” and the community of Long Branch exemplifies this. “It’s nice to see this many professionals willing to give time and effort to the local community, and past the local community,” Janeczek fondly says. “These people have gone above and beyond. It’s like another family to me.”
“We were so delighted by last year’s turnout,” said David Brown, President of the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch. “This event brings families together, celebrates creativity, and helps support the charitable work our club does throughout the year.”
Trees for businesses are still available. For more information, call Terry Janeczek at 732-581-1660 or email taj4@aol.com
The Festival of Trees will be held at West End Arts Center, Great Lawn at 132 West End Ave. in Long Branch. The event takes place Fridays and Saturdays 5 – 8 p.m., and Sundays from 4 – 7 p.m. on the weekends of December 12-14 and 19-21.
