Over 100 costumed moms, dads and kids attended a rescheduled party dubbed, “Nightmare After Christmas” for a night of dancing, feasting and fund-raising. As of last count, almost $2,500 was raised from donations to help the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It was the second time the rental hall at the Cedar Grove North End Fire Station was decorated for the Halloween Costume Party to benefit the St. Jude Hospital. Luckily, this past Saturday evening’s January temperatures were more fall-like than the original date planned for the party, when the October snowstorm forced the first party’s cancellation.

Organizers of the event and Cedar Grove residents, Emilio D’Amato and Carlos DeLeon, both dads themselves, had some concerns about their kid’s safety when taking them trick-or-treating in years past. D’Amato commented, “Some neighborhoods are too dark, there’s traffic in the streets, my kids even got some expired candy. I thought there had to be a better way to do this.” DeLeon added, “We thought about putting together a fun family night but taking it a step further to help a good cause.”

Last Halloween, 2010, was the first event, which was a success and raised more than $1,500 for St. Jude Hospital. “This year, we sold out and had to turn almost 40 families away,” D’Amato explained.

Almost 30 local businesses contributed gift cards and prizes for raffles. In addition, the New York Yankees, Mets, Jets and Rangers, as well as the New Jersey Devils and Nets all contributed tickets and merchandise as prizes.

“Most of the food and over 100 pounds of candy were donated as well,” D’Amato remarked. “We did all the legwork and decorating and are very fortunate to have such support from our families and friends,” emphasized DeLeon.

D’Amato concluded, “Next year, we’ll look for a bigger place.”