EAST HAVEN, Conn. — A tradition continued in front of McDermott Chevrolet in East Haven when AJ, part of the radio team from “Chaz & AJ in the Morning” on 99.1 WPLR-FM returned to tackle “AJ in a Box”.
AJ has braved the elements for a daylong marathon for the past six years. The veteran radio personality spends 24 hours inside a plexiglass box all to raise money for the radio host's signature toy drive in December.
“it’s the kids, it's raising money for kids, if I don’t do this or the toy drive then there are a bunch of kids who get nothing for Christmas and that’s unthinkable," said AJ.
Making AJ’s temporary existence even tougher to endure, the box he’s confined to (with a port-o-potty next to it) has a speaker blaring a loop of the Disney song, “It’s a Small World”.
AJ laughed, “Yes, it’s gonna be rough!”
Chaz added that the more money, the more creature comforts afforded to AJ in the box like a heater and a cellphone – essentially every monetary tier makes AJ’s mission more manageable.
"The listeners can help AJ right now have a better existence just by donating money so it’s a win-win you’re helping kids get toys and you’re helping him have a better existence in that box," Chaz said.
AJ said that enduring a cold November night in the box will ultimately bring warmth to so many children in December.
"The best part is that at the toy drive and you see a huge pile of toys and knowing those toys are going to kids and they’re going to have a great Christmas and holiday," AJ said.
The Chaz & AJ Toy Drive happens on December 8 at Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven. Donations for the “AJ in a Box” event can be placed here.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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