Our Annual Toy Drive with Friends of JJ

The holiday season is a time for giving, and at Clarks Landing Yacht Sales, our community never fails to show its generosity. We’re excited to share details about our Annual Toy Drive and our longstanding partnership with the inspiring Friends of JJ organization.

Friends of JJ was founded by Brenna Messana and her family in memory of her brother, JJ, who passed away at 27 after an eight-year battle with pediatric cancer. Although JJ was initially diagnosed at 20, he received treatment in the pediatric wing at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where he quickly became a bright light for younger patients—bringing smiles and hope to children and families facing similar challenges. After JJ’s passing in 2014, the Messana family created Friends of JJ to continue his mission: making children SMILE.

Our connection to Friends of JJ is deeply personal. JJ and his wife Amanda were married at Clarks Landing Yacht Club on June 30, 2012, with Nicole Hoffman as their wedding coordinator. Following JJ’s passing, we honored his memory with a $15,000 donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering from that year’s Clarks Landing Yacht Club Alumni Ball. Since then, our relationship with Friends of JJ has grown, and the Annual Toy Drive has become a cherished tradition within our Clarks Landing community.

This year, we are proud to share that we collected over 300 toys for the organization and we are excited to donate more and more each year. The toy drive spans Clarks Landing Yacht Club, Clarks Landing Yacht Sales & Marina, and our sister property, The Mill Lakeside Manor in Spring Lake, NJ. Each year, we invite our wedding couples, boating community and the public to donate new and unwrapped toys in person and through our Amazon Wishlist. Every gift helps brighten the holidays for children in need, keeping JJ’s legacy alive and continuing to make a meaningful impact on families in our community.

We’re grateful to everyone who contributes and encourage anyone looking to make a difference this holiday season to join us. Together, we’re spreading warmth, joy, and smiles—just like JJ would have wanted.