Family Day benefits COTA
Another $2,000 raised for Great Cause!
====PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE===
submitted by Rusty Myers, Adjutant, Children and Youth Chairman, Detachment of NJ
(27 APRIL 2025) – BELLEVILLE, NJ – “The National Executive Committee voted in 2022 to create American Legion Family Day on the last Saturday of April… a day when we are supposed to open the doors of our Post to let the community know all of the good things we do,” spoke Rusty Myers when addressing the event’s attendees. “We can think of no better way to show what we do then by holding a fundraiser to benefit COTA.”
Myers, adjutant for Sons of The American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 in Belleville, was speaking at a picnic that the Post 105 Family held on 27 April to benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, or COTA. This is the second year Belleville’s American Legion Family - veterans, Sons, and Auxiliary members - have held this picnic, though their support for COTA has been something membership has been passionate about for a while. Most recently, in November, the SAL organized a comedy show for COTA.
Supporting COTA is a component of the “The Four Pillars” of The American Legion’s national priorities … working to better the lives of our children and youth. COTA helps remove the financial barriers to a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support.
The day was windy and cold, even though the New Jersey weather had been in the 70’s the week before. Perhaps 80 people came out to the picnic - many of them members of “the Legion” from around the state - to have a fun time with good food and great friends. Between tickets, a 50/50, and basket raffles, the event raised almost $2,000 for kids with transplant expenses.
It’s especially important to note that all of the funds raised in New Jersey stay in New Jersey. Last year, the NJ American Legion Family raised a record $93,000 for the charity.
“Events like this highlight the incredible generosity and compassion that define our Belleville veterans’ community”, noted Belleville Mayor Michael Melham who not only attended, but is an SAL himself. “I commend Post 105 for being a true staple in our township and for their unwavering dedication to helping children in need of life-saving transplants."
The national COTA organization always makes an extra effort to have transplant families attend events throughout the country, so those at fundraisers can put a face to what they are raising money for. For a second year in a row, the Latchman family attended Belleville’s event. Melissa and Dan Latchman, parents of Aliyah, noted that “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.”
Last year, they told Aliyah’s story - “At 9 months old Aliyah received her life saving liver transplant from a donor and we have been forever grateful that she has remained in good health for the most part. COTA has been with us every step of the way and has helped with any transplant related expenses, such as copays for her immune suppression medicine, hospital travel expenses incurred going back and forth to Chop (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) where she spent most of her first year at. While the road to her recovery and transplant journey hasn't been easy, COTA helped put us at ease with regards to the financial burden and I'm so happy they will be there for her throughout her life.”
Lisa Natale, Second Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of NJ, who donated a kidney herself to save a strangers life, also attended the event. “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.”
The final donation, which will include additional donations from the Post 105 Family, will be given at the Department Convention in Wildwood in June.
“The American Legion Family has stepped up yet again to serve our country, and recently to help our most vulnerable citizens – transplant children”, remarked Rick Lofgren, CEO and President of COTA when asked for comment. “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.”
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. Completing the Legion Family, in the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.
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