Annual Live Broadcast Event Raises Just Under $200,000 In Toys and Cash

(New Haven, CT) – The holiday spirit was alive and well on Friday, December 13th, as Connecticut’s most popular morning show, Chaz and AJ in the Morning on 99.1 WPLR, hosted their annual “Chaz and AJ Crabtree Chevrolet and Lexus of New Haven Toy Drive” at Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven. Thanks to the generosity of listeners and supporters, the event raised an incredible $193,553 in cash and toy donations to benefit several local children’s charities.

Admission to attend the event onsite was a donation of toys or cash, highlighting the generosity of listeners who showed up to support the cause and participate in the broadcast. Additional contributions from sponsors, community members, and listeners brought the total to an impressive $193,553 in toys and funds.

Onsite and on-air festivities featured a star-studded lineup, including live performances by national recording artists Josey Scott, the original voice of Saliva, and Randy Jackson, former singer of Zebra. Local talent also took the stage, with performances by youth school band Rock House, and fan favorite The Rum Runners.

The event also drew an impressive roster of special guests and officials, including Governor Ned Lamont who participated in the antics with an impromptu piano solo, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and local figures like New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora, Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti, Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley, former Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, and Jay “The Iceman” Piccirillo, among others.

One of the highlights was the crowd-pleasing “Cataoke” competition, a karaoke contest with a feline twist—contestants meowed their way through hit songs. This year’s standout performance came from WFSB’s Nicole Nalepa, who earned the trophy for her “meowtastic” rendition of “Your Love” by The Outfield.

The morning show festivities also included musical performances from local TV news celebrities Scot Haney, Marcy Jones, and Caitlin Frances of WFSB, with Haney joining “The OGees” for a Bee Gees tribute. And, legendary concert promoter Jimmy Koplik teamed up with Governor Lamont for a round of music trivia.

“Once again, I am blown away by the generosity of the listeners of the Chaz and AJ in the Morning Show. Lots of kids are going to know we are thinking of them and that they are not alone,” said Chaz. 

“Every year I think there is no way we can beat last year, and every year I’m proven wrong. Another tremendous Chaz and AJ Crabtree Chevrolet and Lexus of New Haven Toy Drive. Great performances, lots of laughs and the generosity of the listeners is always just so impressive,” said Connoisseur Media Vice President of Programming, Keith Dakin.

The toys and funds collected during the event were distributed to several local organizations; Boys and Girls Village, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, BH Care, and the Center for Family Justice, Inc., ensuring the holiday season is brighter for children across the region.

Representatives of those charities shared the following sentiments and expressed gratitude:

“Last week, a family arrived at our safe house just a week before Christmas. In a moment of heartbreak, the mother told her children they wouldn’t have Christmas this year because they needed to move to a safe place,” said Melissa Simoni, Development Coordinator, Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, BHcare, Inc.  “However, over the weekend, we had the privilege of letting her know that, thanks to your toy drive, we had toys for her to choose from for her children.”

Tim Barlett, President & CEO of The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA said, “The toy drive event helps ensure the holiday happens for our most vulnerable children and their families. It helps keep the magic of Christmas alive in a home that may be struggling to make ends meet, pay the rent and put food on the table. This event helps alleviate one stressor by lessening that load and allowing the Y, and our partner organizations, with the help of Chaz and Aj and their tribe, make Christmas happen.”

“The Center for Family Justice is truly grateful and humbled to be one of the five non-profit organizations to be a recipient of the Chaz and AJ toy Drive this year!  The incredible generosity, dedication, support and energy that surrounds us in the region through the hard work of everyone at WPLR is providing life-changing, support to kids that have been affected by abuse due to domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse and they will feel the support due to the efforts that made last Friday an incredible holiday miracle for thousands of kids in the region with so many living in a Domestic Violence Safehouse this holiday season!  Thank you on behalf of our youngest clients at our organization,” Debra A. Greenwood, President/CEO of The Center for Family Justice.

Special thanks to the sponsors of this event: Crabtree Chevrolet and Lexus of New Haven, Jordans Furniture New Haven, Arts Television and Appliance, The Water Dr., Brown Roofing, SHU, Bigga Balls, Brewport Brewing Co., Fairview Tree Farm, Kraneworks, Lincoln Tech, Connecticut In-Home Assistance, Michael’s Jewelers, Aquatic Pool & Spa Inc., All American Waste, Powerstation Events, and Carbutti and Co. 

About Connoisseur Media

Connoisseur Media owns and operates 99.1 WPLR in its portfolio of radio stations located in Connecticut and New York as well as various digital brands. Connoisseur Media also owns a marketing agency; audio and video creators; and a full-service digital marketing company. Connoisseur Media corporate headquarters are located in Westport, CT with studios and offices in Milford, CT.