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.

Sherrill recognizes Nutley resident as a 2022 hero

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill recently recognized Wayne Greenfeder, of Nutley, as a 2022 “hero” in the 11th Congressional District. Greenfeder, a Nutley Public Library board member, was nominated for the recognition by retired supervising librarian Kiran Patel.

Patel’s nomination read: “Greenfeder is a treasurer, trustee and chairperson of the buildings and grounds committee of the Nutley Public Library for 26 years. He assisted in getting a grant from the New Jersey Library Bond Fund to pay a significant share for the HVAC system. He assisted in getting the design and engineering plans completed for the new elevator and preparing the grant application, and the grant was received. He assisted in getting the design and architectural plans completed for the skylight replacement project and working with the township commissioners to get the necessary funds for that project, which is just about completed. He is a member of the executive committee of the New Jersey Library Trustee Association and treasurer since 2016. He volunteers approximately 12 to 16 hours per week for Travelers Aid International at Newark Liberty (International) Airport for more than three years; he assists travelers with their travel-related problems and volunteers at the welcome centers throughout the airport. He is a member of the dean’s advocacy council at Harpur College to raise funds for the liberal arts school students. I believe that Wayne’s many contributions and volunteer work qualifies him as (a) 2022 hero.”

Nutley Parks Department’s winter programs in full swing

The Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation winter schedule of educational classes and athletic programs is full speed ahead.

The slate, which is made up of opportunities for all residents, has been designed to help all maintain a healthy mental and physical outlook during the winter months.

“The winter months can be a difficult time for many,” said Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci, who acknowledged the added stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We strive to give everyone in town, from toddlers to seniors, outlets to stay busy, improve their health and, in some cases, just have some fun.”

The winter programs include yoga for children, Kinderdance, Happily Ever Crafty, Aspiring Authors, tumbling, art workshop, Rise and Shine morning exercise, Zumba, Yoga for Life, recreation and travel basketball, and junior wrestling.

“We look forward to adding to our dozens of programs throughout the year,” Tucci said. “It’s time to get our community back — mentally and physically — to where it should be.”

For additional information, visit nutleynj.org/recreation.

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