Legion Families host weekend of fundraising to help families of children needing organ transplants

Two American Legion posts just miles apart from each other joined forces for a weekend of fundraising for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).

Final numbers aren’t available yet, but Anthony Wayne Post 174 in Wayne, N.J., and Post 105 in Belleville, N.J., expect they raised at least $7,000 for COTA from their fundraisers April 20-21.

The idea stemmed from a conversation between Squadron 105 Commander Steve Sangemino, Detachment of New Jersey Children and Youth Commission Chairman and Squadron 105 member Rusty Myers, and Detachment COTA Chairman and Squadron 174 member Greg Shaffer about doing something together to benefit children.

Post 174 hosted a picnic on April 20, while Post 105 hosted one on April 21.

COTA provides financial assistance to families of children who need organ transplants. At each event, families helped by COTA spoke about their journeys.

“It warms our hearts to see how we help these children by meeting the families and hearing what they go through,” Shaffer said.

“To see both young children and grown children healthy and growing is proof that what we do works, and what we do matters,” Post 174 Commander Michael Smith said.

Department Vice Commander Sophia Dmoch added, “We believe that every child deserves access to the resources and support they need to thrive, and COTA is working towards that goal by providing services and programs to children and youth in need.

“We are committed to being there for our children, and supporting COTA is just one way we can make a positive impact in the lives of young people.”