Taking the gift of human kindness on the road

SCOTT PILLING staff Beth Ann Clayton of Holiday Express performs at the Cliffwood VFW in Old Bridge.

In the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, Holiday Express delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for human kindness. This year, the traveling “party” made 51 visits.

In preparation for each party, volunteers packed thousands of gift bags, prepared food, donned elf and Santa costumes, then hit the road, visiting the homeless, the isolated elderly, the mentally ill, the physically disabled, and adults and children living with critical illnesses.

The nonprofit was founded in 1993 by local restaurateur and musician Tim McLoone and consists of more than 400 volunteers, including 60 who are professional musicians.

SCOTT PILLING staff Darnell Dicks, Aberdeen, performs as a guest singer with Holiday Express at the Cliffwood VFW. JEFFGRANIT staff Pam Minson sings and dances with Allen Farkas during a party at St. Leo’s Church in Lincroft. JEFFGRANIT staff Peter DeMarco dances along during a party at St. Leo’s Church. SCOTT PILLING staff Volunteers Mickey Ross (l-r), Lynn Jackson and Susan Everett fill gift bags at the warehouse. JEFFGRANIT staff Volunteer Mary Ann Soyka, Highlands, and Diane McDowell, Marlboro, make bracelets and candy canes out of pipe cleaners and beads during a party at St. Leo’s Church.