Belleville group brings warmth

Belleville’s Sons of The American Legion Squadron 105 traveled to Newark earlier in February to hand out blankets, jackets, sandwiches, cookies and water to people in need on what ended up being the coldest day of the year.

“We went down there with a car full of jackets and sandwiches, and came back with nothing,” said Vinnie Ferriole, who planned the event with his wife.

At a meeting of the Squadron in December, Ferriole suggested doing something to help the homeless during the winter. He was given the go-ahead by Squadron 105’s commander, Steve Sangemino.

“You’re the chairman now, run with it,” Sangemino said.

Over the next few weeks, Ferriole collected items, including winter clothes provided by American Legion Crawford-Crews Post 251 in Montclair. The Montclair post held a coat giveaway in January, with winter wear provided by Ocean State Job Lot. This time, they provided two cases of brand new winter jackets for the trip to Newark.

Members from Post 105 provided jackets and blankets as well – others donated cookies, and the Post donated bottles of water. The night before, members made PB&J’s.

“We sat and made 22 sandwiches in an hour,” Lisa Bocchino said.

On a day when the temperature fell to just 3 degrees, members of the Squadron and Post got together and made the 10 minute trip “Down Neck,” as Newark’s Ironbound section is called locally.

Advised by Newark Police to pull up to Peter Francisco Park, right behind Newark Penn Station, the two trucks of members pulled up and hopped out to deliver the items.

Within minutes, more than 50 people had formed a line. The contents of the two cars were emptied in under five minutes.

Among those waiting in line were a mother and a girl