Asbury Park’s Salvation Army is helping to spread joy to local families.

About 600 children will get toys, thanks to the generosity of donors.

Salvation Army Capt. Nathan Deming spoke about the importance of toy drives during the holiday season.

“We have found that many families are having to make the hard choice to choose between putting food on the table or toys under the tree,” Deming said.

The Salvation Army is holding similar holiday toy drives in Red Bank and Trenton.

More information about Salvation Army toy drives can be found HERE.