At the Shore, Jon Simon’s Boxx for Tots enters its 21st year collecting toys

VENTNOR, N.J. — Jon Simon has a devoted following for his singular (and loud) boxing classes at the Shore, but for the last two decades, the tough trainer with a soft spot for kids (and dogs) has also been collecting toys for his Boxx for Tots.

Simon, a Schenectady, N.Y. native who was the strength and conditioning coach for Hall-of-Fame boxer Virgil Hill, said Boxx for Tots got its start 21 years ago when he noticed the Toys for Tots bin at Island Gym in Ventnor was empty. Island Gym was where he began teaching his sparring and circuit class (long before boxing classes got trendy and franchised).

“It was totally a whim,” Simon said. “I don’t know what even made me think of it. I just walked by the bin and it was empty. I said, ‘Guys, next class instead of paying me 10 dollars for the class, drop a toy in that bucket and I’ll do the class.’”

The next class, the toys came in a pile. One client brought a bicycle, others brought big wheels. “We got such good feedback,” he said. “I opened up the whole week before Christmas to that format where you waive the fee, and you bring a toy, and I’ll teach the class.”

A holiday tradition was born. For years, the classes were the main event, growing to as many as 100 people, larger venues, professional DJs volunteering their time, a roster of people recruited to help hold the sparring mitts. Lately, though, as people just bring toys and donate money, the toys-for-classes idea is almost besides the point.

“Most charities would love to have the problem we have,” Simon said. “We used to be 75 to 100 [people] a class. Now it’s back to 15, 20, 30 a class. But every year, the charity is bigger than the event that started it.” (He says his shoulders and arms are thankful.)

Simon says he’s probably collected 60,000 toys and $100,000 in donations (Boxx4Tots is a registered nonprofit). Each year, he still brings DJs to three special Boxx for Tots classes; this year’s are at Island Gym in Ventnor on Dec. 17, 19 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.

With the help of the Margate Fire Department, the toys, donated and also shopped for by Simon and his band of family and friends, are stacked up at Island Gym, the Margate Municipal Building, and Body Architect. Groups ranging from churches, schools, the state child protection agency, and other social service groups come by to help distribute the toys to needy families. Somehow, all the toys find their way into deserving hands.

Meanwhile, Simon’s classes are still a bargain at $10, and have some celebrity drop-ins, especially in the summer, including former ESPN football reporter Suzy Kolber, and former NFL players Myron Rolle and Pete Hunter.

“I have to thank South Jersey,” Simon said. “Without the community support, Boxx for Tots doesn’t exist.”

Favorite beach: I don’t go to the beach. [Summer’s] my busy season.

Favorite summer breakfast: Hannah G’s [in Ventnor]. Order: Power pancakes, baby.

Perfect beach day: Any time I have off.

Perfect night: On the porch smoking cigars with my wife and dogs.

Best Shore sandwich: Used to be the chicken hummus wrap at Lisa’s Market but it’s no longer there.

When summer approaches, I feel: It’s my money season. I kiss the wife goodbye because I won’t see her.

It wouldn’t be the Jersey Shore without: Robert’s.

Pet Peeve: So many of them that pop up. People not using sidewalks.

Best thing for kids: My boxing class. [Editor’s note: It’s true, Simon’s clients run from ages 6 to 82.]

Surfing or fishing: Surfing.

Sunrise or sunset: Sunset.

Jab or hook: Hook.

The Shore could be improved if: Hard to improve it. I like it the way it is.

Do you consider yourself a local? I do, yes. I love it. I consider it home now.

Best thing about winter at the Shore: Less crowded.

Boxx for Tots is accepting toys at Island Gym on Wellington Avenue in Ventnor and the Margate Municipal Building at 9001 Winchester and Body Architects at 7838 Ventnor Avenue in Margate. Bring an unwrapped toy to Island Gym for a free boxing class at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 and 19, and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21.