Lots of Holiday Activity at A.C. Aquarium

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > EDITOR'S CHOICES

By Ray Schweibert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Dec. 1, 2010

The Atlantic City Aquarium’s mascot, Seaweed the Sea Turtle, presents the first Toys for Tots donations to Cape-Atlantic Marine Corps League members Mo Loveland (left) and Bill McGinley. Toys are being accepted at the Aquarium through Dec. 12.

The Atlantic City Aquarium is accepting new toy donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program, and also canned tuna donations for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Donations of both of these items will avail guests discounted admission.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, Santa Claus and Seaweed the Sea Turtle, the Aquarium’s new mascot, will be available for a meet-and-greet and photo opportunities at the aquarium at 1pm. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Aquarium’s Toys for Tots box and receive $2 off admission (one discount per toy). Parents, bring your cameras! Seaweed will also have treats to give out to the children.
All toys collected will be donated to the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in an effort to brighten the holiday for less fortunate children. The Toys for Tots drive at the Aquarium is taking place now through Sunday, Dec. 12, and will be distributed to local children just prior to the Christmas holiday. Now in its 63rd year, the Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense. According to a media release, the Marine Corps distributed gifts to 7.4 million children in 691 communities nationwide.

It’s also not too late to donate to the Atlantic City Aquarium’s Holiday Food Drive. Bring a can of tuna and receive $1 off admission for everyone in your group. The annual food drive helps neighbors in need through distribution by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Food donations will be accepted now through Dec. 12, and Seaweed the Sea Turtle will deliver the food to the FoodBank before Christmas. In addition to tuna, visitors may wish to bring ingredients for a tuna casserole.
These other nonperishable foods will be accepted, provided that they are not past their expiry date. The most needed items include tuna, peanut butter, baby foods and formula, canned beef stew, ravioli, powdered milk and drink mixes, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit and Ensure.

The Atlantic City Aquarium is open daily from 10am-5pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children ages 4-12. Children under age 3 are admitted free. Located in Atlantic City’s Historic Gardner’s Basin, the Atlantic City Aquarium offers a fun and educational look into more than 100 varieties of fish and marine animals. For more information on the Atlantic City Aquarium, call (609) 348-2880.