Warren Tots And Cops Team Up To Save Restaurants

WARREN, NJ — With the cold weather limiting outdoor dining, many sit-down restaurants are struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic. To help a group of Warren 6-year-olds, who formed the Kindness Crew, teamed up with the Warren Township Police PBA Local #235 as part of a pay it forward campaign.

"We wanted to help sit down restaurants. They are having a hard time right now. We want to take care of them," said Warren PBA President Jeff Sohler.

The PBA raised $4,000 to donate to Alfie's Ristorante Italiano, Prezzo Italian Restaurant, Bruno's Bistro, and Sal G's Restaurant. The money was to be used to help offset the cost for a buy one entree, get one half off campaign to attract customers inside, said Sohler.

As part of this effort, Sohler teamed up with the Kindness Crew. The crew, which formed in December, is made up of a group of preschool friends named Stella Ferreiro, and Adaline, Malia, Leisel, Lailah Isedeh.

"We wanted to instill in the girls at an early age to give recognize their privilege and give back to the community," said Valentina Carleo, Stella's mother.

Carleo and Anne Isedeh began doing philanthropic work to show the girls but realized the girls didn't have an active stake in it. The girls then began to do their own charitable work and wanted to help local restaurants in town.

Sohler challenged the girls to interview the four restaurants to find out their famous dishes and what makes them so great.

The crew shared the video interviews on their Facebook page to help promote the restaurants.

"Anytime anyone is doing something to help the community, we are obviously on board with it and they got involved on their own. It was fun working with the kids," said Sohler.

The Kindness Crew took the initiative one step forward and set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to match the PBA's $4,000 donation to give to restaurants.

Within a week, the girls raised more than $1,000 and are still looking for more donations. All donations will be given to the restaurants in town. To donate visit gofundme.com.

Additionally, Carleo said the Kindness Crew is welcoming members and open to more ideas on how they can help the community. To learn more visit facebook.com/kindness.thecrew.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.