New Jersey Post 105 Legion Family helps families in need with coat and toy giveaway

The Legion Family at American Legion Post 105 in Belleville, N.J., capped their “Season of Giving” by distributing over $7,000 in toys and coats to 119 families in need on Dec. 14.

An annual event for several years at Post 105, preparation for this year’s giveaway began with a “Christmas in July” event that raised about $5,000 to purchase toys and winter wear.

Donations of jackets, hats, games and toys continued through the summer and fall, SAL Squadron 105 Adjutant Rusty Myers noted.

Under the direction of co-chairman Erica Portee, a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105 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 members created an assembly line to put together stockings to hand out to kids at the event.

Unit 105 Vice President Debbie Hall wrote on Facebook, “What an amazing day! 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.”