Funds raised from the Family Day picnic will go to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.
The American Legion Family at Post 105 in Belleville, N.J., saw an opportunity to combine American Legion Family Day with its support of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
“(Legion Family Day is) when we are supposed to open the doors of our post to let the community know of all the good things we do,” Squadron 105 Adjutant Rusty Myers said. “We can think of no better way to show what we do then by holding a fundraiser to benefit COTA.”
Post 105 held a picnic April 27 to benefit COTA, a program that the post’s Legion Family has long supported.
For over 30 years nationwide, the American Legion Family has supported COTA, whose mission is to provide financial assistance to families whose child or young adult needs a lifesaving transplant, through grants, fundraising and donations.
“The American Legion Family has stepped up yet again to serve our country, and recently to help our most vulnerable citizens – transplant children,” said Rick Lofgren, CEO and President of COTA. “The members of the Detachment of New Jersey have helped Jersey kids working with COTA for more than 30 years and have again demonstrated they believe in service above self.”
Last year’s efforts by the Legion Family in New Jersey raised $93,000 for COTA’s efforts in the state. This year’s donations will be presented at the department convention in June.
In October 2022, The American Legion National Executive Committee passed Resolution No. 7, American Legion Family Day. The resolution established an American Legion Family Day to be observed annually on the last Saturday of April — this year falling on April 26.
Among those attending the Post 105 fundraiser were Melissa and Dan Latchman, whose daughter, Aliyah, received a lifesaving liver transplant when she was nine months old.
“We are so grateful to those who took the time and effort to put this event together and host our family. Everyone is so welcoming and we truly appreciate each and every person who attended to support COTA,” the Latchmans said.
“As a living donor, I’ve firsthand seen the constant doctor’s appointments and testing that children undergo … to have The American Legion recognize this, and help these families with the financial burden, is life changing,” said Lisa Natale, second vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of New Jersey and herself a kidney donor.
- Sons