The American Legion Post 105 Family of Belleville, NJ held its annual giveaway day, ending our highly successful Toy and Coat Drive as part of the 2023 “Season of Giving.” When the day was all said and done, they gave away over $7,000 of toys and coats to 119 families in need. And the best part – there was only one bag of clothes and four small boxes left over, meaning everything was distributed to do some good this holiday season.
“It was wonderful to help out,” noted Lisa Bocchino. “An amazing feeling to know and see the faces of everyone that came in.”
The Toy and Coat Drive has been an event at Post 105 for the past few years, with each year getting larger and larger. This year, preparation began with an unbelievably successful “Christmas in July” event, where around $5,000 was generated to purchase toys and winter wear for the giveaway six months later. The goal throughout the entire process was to help those in need around the holidays.
Throughout the remainder of the summer and fall, jackets, hats, games and toys were donated and stored, plus all of the funds raised in July buying hundreds of items to hand out to all ages. In the weeks leading up to the December 16 giveaway, boxes were placed at the Post cantina where anyone could drop by and donate last-minute items. If there was anything we were missing – infant toys, for example – the Post, Squadron, and Unit donated money above and beyond to fill the void. Members gave donations until the last minute, ensuring that anyone who came got an opportunity to get what they wanted.
Under the direction of Co-chairman Erica Portee, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit which received its charter in January of 2023, the Post’s hall was set up with everything grouped by age and item. Meanwhile, ALA Juniors and Young SAL’s downstairs at the club created an assembly line to put together stockings to hand out to kids at the event. The setup took days, and the event was widely publicized to try and help as many families as possible.
When the doors opened up at 8 am, there was a line outside of the Post. By 1 pm, Legion Family members had to make a run to the store and buy more toys to make sure that they didn’t run out.
“What an amazing day!” wrote ALA Vice President Debbie Hall on Facebook.” So many families helped, and it truly took a team to make it happen! Thank you to the community and everyone in the Post 105 family for all of your donations.”
Santa also arrived around 3 pm, handing out more toys and candy canes to every child who came in. The goal was to do as much for anyone in need as we could, so the giveaway was open to anyone, from anywhere who needed a toy for their child or a coat this holiday season, no questions asked.
