E. Bruns. gets windfall of arts & crafts supplies
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - The township was the beneficiary of an unusual gift recently, courtesy of a local business that is leaving town.

The Township Council passed a resolution last week accepting about $200,000 worth of merchandise from Michele Ltd., which had stored the goods in a warehouse at 28 Kennedy Blvd., according to Township Finance Director L. Mason Neely.

Michael Reissner, manager of Recreation and Community Services for East Brunswick, said the items include arts and crafts supplies that will be useful to the recreation department. Those things that the department cannot use will go to various nonprofits in town.

"[The owner] donated to us a tremendous amount of supplies," Reissner said.

Michele Ltd. agreed to give the merchandise to East Brunswick during the period ofMay throughAugust of this year for use in the town's summer day-camp program. Neely and Reissner said the materials have already been picked up and distributed.

During the April 28 council meeting, Neely said the town is certifying the gift so that Michele Ltd. can use it as a tax deduction.

Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin asked if the merchandise would reduce costs for the recreation department, and Neely told her the township still needs to take inventory of the materials.

Township Business Administrator James White said the town could also sell off any excess supplies at auction.

Reissner said the arts and crafts materials can be used throughout the year, including in programs for children.

"It's a lot of material we would otherwise have had to purchase," he said.

The township can only store so much of the merchandise, Reissner said, so some nonprofits were able to also make use of the leftover supplies.

According to the resolution, the township's recreation division will offer 10 programs with services to more than 1,000 children this summer. The division will also employ a staff of 150.

The day-camp program requires such crafts, games and materials.