Post 105 donates roomful of toys, clothing to those in need

After a month of collecting toys and clothing from the Belleville community, the American Legion Post 105 family distributed a roomful of items days before Christmas to anyone who needed a little holiday help. After a day of people dropping by the post to collect for themselves or others, what remained from the collection was donated to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Belleville for distribution to its shelter programs.

Spearheaded by members of the American Legion Auxiliary interest group at Post 105, which is in the process of seeking a national charter, the collection began in late November and lasted all the way through the publicized pickup day, Dec. 23. Together with the Post Legionnaires and the Sons of the American

Legion Squadron, the toy and coat drive was widely promoted to benefit anyone in need, regardless of their relationship to veterans or what town they live in.

“If you see pictures of this, you will understand that the Sons of the Legion, the Legion and the Auxiliary helped some of our brightest people today — our children,” Auxiliary President MaryAnn Slaughter said. “It makes your heart warm when you know you are doing something for people without asking for anything. We did this today to make people happy.”

Throughout December, members and friends of the post, as well as friends and strangers from throughout the community, donated new and lightly used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and sweaters, as well as enough new toys to fill

In Memoriam

• BENNETT – Maureen A., of Belleville, formerly of Jersey City and Nutley; Dec. 15. Public relations coordinator, Summit Medical Group. Wife, mother, sister, 62.

• GABRIELE – Victoria, of Nutley; Dec. 3. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, 70.

• KENSCHAFT – Patricia Clark, of Montclair, formerly of Nutley; Nov. 20. Mathematics professor, author, gardener, widow, mother, grandmother, 82.

• KIRWIN – Bettyann, of Belleville; Dec. 30. Retired secretary for Essex Catholic high school in Newark. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 94.

• KLEIN – Miriam Bernstein, of Ridgewood, formerly of Rutherford, Nutley and Bloomfield; Jan. 3. Teacher, bus driver, wife, mother, grandmother, 87.

• LACORTE – Lorraine, of Pompton Plains, formerly of Nutley; Dec. 31. Bookkeeper. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 93.

• MAHER – Thomas Patrick, formerly of Nutley; Dec. 19. Was 66.

• MORIARTY – Esther, of Nutley, formerly of Montclair; Nov. 26. Sister, aunt, 72.

• ROOS – Dirkje, of Belleville; Nov. 16. U.S. Army veteran. Was 88.

• WENGRIN – Anne Rose, of Belleville; Dec. 5. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 94.

• WHITE – Marie, of Neptune Township, formerly of Belleville; Dec. 7. Former English teacher. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, 74.

• ZOLLO – Nancy E. Reilly, of Brooklyn, N.Y., formerly of Belleville and Jersey City; Dec. 1. Widow, mother, sister, aunt, 72.

In Memoriam is a feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

tables and tables. The post and the SAL donated a few hundred dollars each to purchase items as well, filling up the entire hall. Members put together stockings for the children, plus gift bags that included things every child will need for the cold weather.

“I was floored by how much we had,” SAL Adjutant Rusty Myers said.

The majority of items collected were for children younger than 10.

“This was amazing. We know how to do this better for next year, and we’re going to do this next year,” ALA charter member Erica Portee said.

After it got dark and the doors were closed on the post’s Dec. 23 distribution day, members of the post family loaded two pickup trucks with what remained and took it to St. Peter’s, which runs numerous outreach programs, both for the homeless and at local hospital children’s wards.

“We’re very appreciative of the Legion’s generosity during this Christmas season, and we thank you for your kindness,” said Ed Nejman, a volunteer who accepted the donation that night. “I’ve never seen an outpouring of generosity like this.”

This event was on the heels of the post’s donation in November of 23 baskets of food for families who needed a Thanksgiv- ing dinner, with help from the Belleville School District and businesses in town.

“We can’t describe how great this town is when we do things like this,” SAL Cmdr. Steve Sangemino, who helped organize the event, said.

Photos Courtesy of Rusty Myers

Above, from left, are SAL 105 Cmdr. Steve Sangemino, ALA’s Erica Portee and MaryAnn Slaughter, Post Cmdr. Joe Cobianchi, and pup Milo. Below, Ed Hall helps drop off toys at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church.

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Celebrating Boy Scout Week

February 5-11, 2023

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Hundreds celebrate Three Kings Day in Belleville

The sound of children’s delight was heard over and over again during a Three Kings Day drive-through event at Belleville High School on Jan. 6. The celebration, presented by Mayor Michael Melham and the township council, has quickly become one of the town’s most popular, festive events.

For more than two hours, some 750 cars carrying children of all ages made their way down Passaic Avenue and onto Buccaneer Way. They were greeted by bright lights illuminating the sky, holiday music, glistening floats, dancers dressed as snow angels, three hay-chomping camels, a giant star hung from a fire truck ladder and, of course, the Three Kings.

In keeping with the tradition of the holiday, which has long been celebrated in Spain as well as many Central and South American countries, each child received a gift. Three Kings Day, also called Epiphany, comes at the end of the 12 days of Christmas and commemorates the day that the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts.

“It’s amazing how popular this event has become in Belleville,” Melham said. “Between this event and the Winter Festival and Christmas tree-lighting event, Belleville shows that we are dedicated to making spirits bright and celebrating our rich diversity.”

The community event was a combined effort, from the people who donated the toys to the volunteers who spent many hours wrapping them. Plus, members of the township’s police and fire departments helped make it a festive night, ensuring the camels weren’t too feisty.

The Three Kings Day event was supported by Belleville Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 28, the Mayor Michael Melham Civic Association and the Belleville Republican Committee.

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