Belleville American Legion Fundraising Picnic Sells Out (PHOTOS)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of American Legion Post 105 and the Sons of the American Legion #105. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

American Legion Post 105 and Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 of Belleville held their annual picnic on the third Saturday of September, with a sold-out attendance of 300 supporters of the Post. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year, raising thousands of dollars for the veterans programs run by Post 105, and was an all-out record for attendance.

With over 1,400 raw clams, 30 pounds of sweet and hot sausage from Walt’s Jerky, and hamburgers, chicken, and BBQ ribs grilled by Post 105 Legionnaires Jack Robuck and Walter LaBar, folks at the picnic ate and drank all afternoon while listening to the oldies group, “The Jersey Tones”. “We at American Legion 105”, remarked the Post Commander, Joe Cobianchi, “are so pleased to have done a picnic where everyone from our community has so much fun. This was one of our best picnics.” Cornhole tables, a staple of every outdoor event at 105, were set up in the parking lot for everyone to use, and attendees laughed, danced, and had a good time with good people over the picnic which lasted for six hours. The weather was fantastic. As 105 1st Vice Commander Walter LaBar remarked, “… it was our pleasure to provide a day of great food, beverage, and camaraderie to all who support us in the community all year long.”

The 300 tickets sold went to members of the Post, family, friends, and other veterans organizations from throughout the area. Staff which ran the event began planning it months ago, and worked pretty much non-stop for the days before-hand buying supplies, prepping the area, setting up tents, and putting together everything needed to host such a huge amount of people.

A day after National POW/MIA recognition day on 17 September, Post 105 had set up a POW table in the middle of all of the tables, as does every American Legion throughout the country at events. The table, with white table cloth, POW flags, and a place setting with a beer at it, was a reminder of those who never made it home.

At 1pm, to begin the event, 2nd Vice Commander played the Star Spangled Banner on his electric guitar. After that, people coming in could buy shirts, 50/50 tickets, and tickets to our famous gift certificate raffle. Each year for the past few years, members from the squadron and post run around town asking all of the companies which support us – restaurants, bakeries, and other retail businesses throughout the community – to donate gift certificates to raffle off at the picnic. This year, we had over 50 gift certificates, items, and baskets donated to raffle off, raising in itself over $1,200 for Post 105’s veterans programs.

SAL Vinny Ferriole also set up a table to raise money for the American Cancer Society, which pulled in over $500 in donations. Himself a cancer survivor, SAL Vinny and his wife Lisa wanted to do something where they could give back to cancer research. In a vote taken by the SAL and the Post, both agreed to match what was raised – making the total donation to the cancer society about $1,600.

In a Facebook post about the events he attended that day, “[I] Ended with my dear friends over at American Legion Post 105 to support their BBQ”, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham wrote. “Always a warm reception. I love our Vets!”

The event ended with what was supposed to be a treat for just the kids, but one which everyone enjoyed. Belleville Historical Society president Mike Perrone, a long-time friend of the Post, came by with his Good Humor Ice Cream Tricycle Cart and donated his time and ice cream for everybody at the picnic. Dressed in a vintage-looking ice cream man uniform, Mike handed out ice cream bars to everyone from the cart which he himself bought and restored to resemble a 1950’s Good Humor cart.

Following the announcing of all of the raffle winners and the 50/50 winner, as the event wound down, the attendees and members of the American Legion Family sat back, enjoyed their cigars and drinks and the beautiful September evening, and finally relaxed after their huge success of an event. After months of work, Post 105 held again a tremendously successful fundraiser picnic.

Post and Squadron 105 would like to thank each and every one of the donors for not only our gift card raffle, but our donors and benefactors who made a monetary donation, plus all of the companies which donated food and gifts for the event. The generosity of these friends of American Legion Post 105 made an invaluable contribution to the amount of money we raised for our community’s veterans:

- Nu-Way Concessionaires, Kearny, NJ

- The Spanish Pavilion, Kearny, NJ

- Debra and Ashleigh Hall of North Arlington, NJ

- McDonalds on Washington Ave, Belleville, NJ

- Bowlero Bowling Alley, Belleville, NJ

- Staples in Clifton Commons, NJ

- Belleville Pizza, Belleville, NJ

- Michael’s Rosscommon, Belleville, NJ

- International Bagels, Belleville, NJ

- Gencarelli's Bakery, Bloomfield, NJ

- DaVinci Bakery, Nutley, NJ

- Home Depot

- Solar Do Minho, Belleville, NJ

- 3 Guys Pizzeria, Belleville, NJ

- Luna Wood Fire Tavern, Nutley, NJ

- Yesterday’s Bar and Grille, Clifton, NJ

- Me and Tommy’s, Belleville, NJ

- Ritacco Brothers Brick Oven, Nutley, NJ

- Fire Pit Barbecue, North Arlington, NJ

- Lusitania Cleaning Services, Belleville, NJ

- Chevy’s in Clifton Commons, NJ

- Michael V’s Catering, Belleville, NJ

- Algieri's Pizza, Belleville, NJ

- Queen Margherita Trattoria, Nutley, NJ

- BGL Bagels, Nutley, NJ

- La Sicilia, Nutley, NJ

- Pizza Village, Belleville, NJ

- JK’s Boathouse Pub, Belleville, NJ

- Applebees in Clifton Commons, NJ

- Nutley Shop Rite, Franklin Ave in Nutley, NJ

- Kearney Auto Spa, Kearney, NJ

- Gelone, North Arlington, NJ

- Essex Cigar, Belleville, NJ

- Rossi Pressure Washing LLC

- Thomas Murphy, Esq.

- Sweets & Cortaditos, Belleville, NJ

- Atlantic Uniform, Belleville, NJ

- Deli Box, Inc. , Belleville, NJ

- Motorcycle Mall, Belleville, NJ

- Plus all of the 105 members, family, and friends who donated baskets and gifts

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