Cedar Grove Grandfather and Grandson Bond With Birdhouses: NFL's Anthony Fasano Gets Gift

Cedar Grove, NJ – The grandfather/grandson team of Sal and Sal are at it again.

Cedar Grove resident Sal Ferruggia – along with his grandson Sal Ferruggia – recently presented one of their trademark, custom-built birdhouses to NFL tight end Anthony Fasano in an effort to raise awareness about autism.

“Sal met Anthony about four years ago at the first Anthony Fasano Bocce Tournament,” his grandfather told Patch. “We presented him with a birdhouse in honor of autism last year and Little Sal gave him another one this year at the 2016 Bocce Tournament.”

Fasano, a Verona native who currently plays for the Tennessee Titans, has been heavily involved with REED Academy, a not-for-profit school in Oakland that serves autistic children.

• See related article: Anthony Fasano Foundation Holds Golf Classic

To date, the duo of Sal and Sal have built and donated over 150 birdhouses to autism-themed nonprofits and charities, helping the organizations to raise funds while they share some bonding time.

According to the elder Ferruggia, the partnership started when his grandson was three-years-old, when he helped him to assemble a backyard swing set.

Since then, the younger Ferruggia – a 13-year-old student at Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School - has received an Essex County Executive Special Award from County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, and has had a birdhouse permanently located at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. In addition, Ferruggia had the opportunity to present new Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s wife, Mary Pat, with one of his custom creations.

• See related article: Local Grandfather and Grandson Build Birdhouses for Autism Awareness

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos courtesy of Sal Ferruggia

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