Belleville American Legion's Annual Picnic Is Huge Success

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following article comes courtesy of the Sons of the American Legion. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

On Saturday the 19th of September, American Legion Post 105 and Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 in Belleville held their annual picnic in the parking lot behind the Post, under clear blue skies, which ended up being the largest picnic in Post 105 history. Following what is held as a regular event each year, the picnic is the Post’s single largest fundraiser.

With over 200 supporters of the American Legion in attendance at this sold out event, Post members and volunteers grilled and BBQ’d , as well as shucked over 1,000 clams. Attendees, maintaining all of the social distancing measures required by the state, enjoyed eating and drinking while listening to the doo-wop group “The Jersey Tones”. Folks in attendance also enjoyed playing corn hole, which is a staple at the patio at Post 105.

“It was a beautiful day and picnic and great turn out!” posted Kim Romano, bartender at the Post and volunteer at the picnic, referring to not only how much everyone enjoyed the event, but on the amazing 70 degree weather we had for the day. The Post Legionnaires and SAL volunteers for the day not only spent the week setting up for this bigger-then-ever crowd, but helped out in every aspect of what was needed for the day – serving food, shucking clams, cooking over the grill, selling shirts, and raffling off 50/50 tickets. In reacting to how well the day went, SAL Commander and event chairman Steve Sangemino sent “A huge ‘THANK YOU’ to all the volunteers [at the picnic]. Too many to name. You can't do this without a GREAT Team.”

One of the larger money-makers of the day is always the gift certificate raffle, where the Post raffles off cards and baskets donated by businesses and organizations throughout the area. With an excess of 40 cards and baskets generously donated by Belleville-area businesses, supporters of the Legion at the event also enjoyed our 50/50, which generated over $750 for the winner who ended up being a Post 105 Legionnaire. Businesses and organizations also were overly generous donating food, beer, and monetary donations for the picnic. We cannot thank those places enough for supporting our Post and Belleville’s veterans (these lists will also be posted on our Facebook page). Of those donors, below we would like to recognize our major benefactors:

• Northern Eagle Beverage Co., Carlstadt
• Peerless Beverage Company, Union
• Allied Beverage Group, LLC, Elizabeth
• Nu-Way Concessionaires Inc., Kearney
• ShopRite of Belleville
• Rent-A-Lift, Paterson
• The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Kearney
• Elks Lodge 2326, Harrison
• Superior Officers Association of Newark

We also have an amazing Belleville-area business community, which helped by donating gift certificates:

• ShopRite, Belleville and Nutley
• Krug’s Tavern, Newark
• Bloomfield Steakhouse, Bloomfield
• Bell Paese Deli Pizzeria and Trattoria, Nutley
• The Spanish Pavilion, Harrison
• Avon, Pampered Chef, and Thirty-one, donated by Ed and Debra Hall
• Michael V’s Luncheonette, Belleville
• Michael Cochran, Plumber in Belleville
• Tejo Restaurant & Bar, North Arlington
• Essex Cigar Lounge, Belleville
• Cigar factory of New Orleans
• Kearney Auto Spa
• Solar Do Minho, Belleville
• Guys & Dolls Billiards, Belleville
• Gencarelli's Bakery, Bloomfield
• Gencarelli's of Lyndhurst
• Wine Country, Lyndhurst
• Razzoli's Little Italy, North Arlington
• Luna Wood Fire Tavern, Nutley
• Algieri's Pizza, Belleville
• The Whiskey Priest, Belleville
• Brix Restaurant & Pizza Bar, Belleville
• Just Bladez Barbershop, Nutley
• Yesterdays Bar and Grille, Clifton
• Ritacco Brothers, Nutley
• Mr. Geez restaurant, Lyndhurst
• Pic-nic restaurant, East Newark
• Queen Margherita restaurant, Nutley
• The Bullet Hole, Belleville
• Michael’s Roscommon House, Belleville
• T & L Rinaldi’s, Belleville
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Lil Burgers, Nutley
• Walt’s Jerky, Nutley
• Arlington Diner, North Arlington
• Italian Villa, North Arlington
• Lucky 7

It’s also important we recognize the contributions of the community – Kelly’s liquor for their continued support (this time by providing parking), the Township of Belleville, and the Belleville Police Department.

The funds raised by the picnic will go towards running American Legion Post 105’s veterans programs at the post, and throughout the community and state.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. Founded in 1932, Sons of The American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires, and is open to all male sons and grandsons of eligible veterans.

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