Atlantic Cape Brings Joy to Hundreds at its Hope for the Holidays event in Atlantic City’s Brown’s Park

ATLANTIC CITY — On a beautiful early winter afternoon, hundreds of residents descended upon Brown’s Park in Atlantic City on December 16 as Atlantic Cape Community College hosted its Hope for the Holidays community event.

Those in attendance meandered around the park and enjoyed engaging entertainment for the entire family from face painting, prizes and live music to arts, crafts, food and free hot chocolate too. More than a dozen event partners and local businesses volunteered their time and resources.

“Thank you to all of our event partners, businesses and volunteers for helping to make this year’s Hope for the Holidays event such a success,” said Victor Moreno, Senior Manager, Special Projects, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. “It was a beautiful day filled with joyous and memorable moments for the Atlantic City community. We positively impacted many lives and we are grateful for everyone’s kindness and generosity this holiday season.”

The Atlantic City Fire Department brought a special guest, Santa Claus, to the park amidst much merry enjoyment as the children patiently awaited his arrival. More than 300 toys were provided to youngsters 12 years of age and younger. Smiling faces, laughter and chatter from all evoked the spirit of the holiday season throughout the park.

Some of the activities and sponsors included Atlantic Cape’s Student Government Association decorating Christmas stockings, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation creating chalk art, Midtown in Motion CDC feeding everyone with its AC Food Truck, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance bringing its Paper Posy Peddler-Paper Poinsettia and Angels in Motion providing winter hats and gloves for teenagers and adults.

Free community resources and information were provided by many local organizations including Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Atlantic County Division of Public Health, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Center for Family Services, Hope Exists Foundation, Oxford House, Inc., The One Step Forward Initiative and The Positive Pursuit.

Additional thanks go to event partners Andy’s Glow Foundation, Angels in Motion, Atlantic Cape, Leadership Studio, Matthew Bee Memorial Fund, Midtown in Motion, Positive Pursuit and Aetna.

Visit atlanticcape.edu today for more information or to register for Spring classes at Atlantic Cape.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.