Weekend Events held for COTA

It's What We Do!

“For more than 30 years, the American Legion Family in New Jersey has helped COTA kids from the Garden State,” stated Rick Lofgren, President and CEO of COTA. “Giving countless volunteer hours and more than $500,000 to help transplant kids and their families, I can think of no better way to continue more than a century of service to our nation that to help kids.”

Though the state has supported COTA for years with picnics, this is the first time in recent memory where two posts have had back-to-back events supporting the charity. The genesis for the idea was when Steve Sangemino, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Commander of Squadron 105 Belleville, SAL Detachment of NJ Children and Youth Commission Chairman Rusty Myers (also from 105), and Detachment COTA Chairman Greg Shaffer from Squadron 174 got together and talked about how we could do something together to benefit our kids. The two Post families have always been close, being about a half hour from one another – so doing a combined weekend to benefit COTA was a perfect idea.

With the band “Frenzy” donating their time to play, the weekend kicked off with the picnic at Post 174. Though the day started with rain and the band played inside the post’s hall, folks showed up from around the area to support COTA and make donations. As Post 174 has an American Legion Riders Chapter, there were quite a few bikes in the parking lot as well.

The following day, Post 105 held their picnic, with BBQ and music by “The Country Cousins.” Over 150 people attended, with quite a few kids – so games were set up in the parking lot and on the tables, plus a bouncy house.

Aww, it’s over already?” was what 9-year old SAL Jake Myers said when the party at 105 ended. They all enjoyed playing sidewalk shuffleboard, cornhole, ring toss, and drawing on the blacktop with chalk.

One child, Aliyah Latchman, who enjoyed playing and making new friends at the 105, went through a liver transplant herself. At each event, families who have gone through the transplant journey spoke to the attendees, so they can see what they are raising money for. It puts a face to the charity, showing the human impact of COTA’s good work.

“While the road to her recovery and transplant journey hasn't been easy,” reflected her mother Melissa, “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.”

“It warms our hearts to see how we help these children by meeting the families and hearing what they go through”, noted Chairman Shaffer afterward. “To see both young children and grown children healthy and growing is proof that what we do works, and what we do matters", added Post 174 Commander Michael Smith.

A final number won’t be in until the donations are made at the American Legion Department Convention at Wildwood in June, but between Posts 105 and 174, COTA should be getting somewhere in the area of $7,000.

American Legion Department of NJ Vice Commander Sophia Dmoch attended the picnic as well, supporting the events at two of the Posts she represents at the state level. “We believe that every child deserves access to the resources and support they need to thrive, and COTA is working towards that goal by providing services and programs to children and youth in need … We are committed to being there for our children, and supporting COTA is just one way we can make a positive impact in the lives of young people.”