submitted by Rusty Myers, Adjutant, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 105

NOVEMBER 2024 – BELLEVILLE, NJ – The Belleville Post 105 American Legion Family – which includes the veterans of American Legion Post 105, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105, and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 – donated this year $2,200 to the Gail’s Angels Foundation in November.

This is the fifth year that the 105 Family via SAL 105 has run a fundraiser that benefit cancer research and support. The first two years that this was run, the charities that benefitted were the Susan J. Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society, until the Squadron discovered the Belleville-based Gail’s Angels.

The Gail’s Angels Foundation is a non-profit (501c)(3) organization dedicated to providing support to families that have a mom with breast cancer, and also care for their autistic or special needs child. Their sole concern is the welfare of these families as the fight continues to be waged on breast cancer. Gail’s Angels was founded in 2007 to honor the memory of Gail E. Babai who died of breast cancer in 2006. With the slogan “We offer the Wings of Hope to insure you’re Never Alone”, the organization is Belleville-based, with the owner, James Babai, also being the owner of Essex Cigar Lounge on Washington Ave.

“All I can say is I feel so blessed for the concern and generosity [from] you and the entire American Legion Family”, wrote Babai in a note to the Squadron.

SAL 1^st Vice Commander Vinnie Ferriole, having had cancer himself, is the chairman of the Cancer Fundraising Committee within the Sons. “As for me I would like to say being a cancer survivor I know how important this is to people … [we] hope to do better every year.”

The bulk of the monies donated come from the Annual Picnic at the Post in September, where the Sons set up a booth accepting donations and holding a raffle. This year, the SAL ordered custom Gail’s Angels shirts, with the Gail’s logo in pink on the back, and the American Flag and a cancer ribbon on the sleeves. The shirts were designed by our friends at National Sportswear in Belleville, where the four owners – the Tartaglia brother – are also all members of the Sons at 105.

With a donation by the SAL, plus donations from the Post, Auxiliary Unit 105, and DAV (Disable American Veterans) Auxiliary Unit 22, the total came out to $2,200. The donation was made in person, with everyone wearing their Gail’s shirts, at Essex Cigar one night to CEO James Babai. A photo was taken with the big check.

“Because of you guys Gail's Angels was able to feed 70 people this Thanksgiving, and will be honored to supply 100 pediatric cancer patients this Christmas with toys and hope” noted Babai.

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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.