Legion's Mission to Help the Poor Is Successful
• Nutley Volunteers Bring Food, Clothing to Eva's Village in Paterson
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Pictured (l-r) are Nutley American Legion Post 70's Past Commander Henry DelTosto, Squadron 70 Past Commander Ken Ackerman, Eva's Village Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Doherty, Post 70 Past Commander Rich McClintick, and Squadron 70 member Danny McGackin .
Apr 27, 2010 – Members of Nutley American Legion Post 70 traveled to Paterson earlier today to donate 21 boxes of clothing, jackets and food to Eva's Village, a non-profit comprehensive social service organization with a mission of feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless , treating the addicted and providing medical care to the poor.
The Nutley group included Sons of the American Legion Squadron including Ken Ackerman, past commander and project chairman of the drive to collect clothing and food for the poor.
"I recently had the opportunity to see the work done by volunteers at Eva's Village and was impressed by how much they did with so little," Ackerman said.
The plan for a food and clothing drive was endorsed by Post 70 Commander Andy Vyniski, Squadron Commander Mark Bottino and Auxiliary President Lisa O'Malley.
"I thought it was a great idea" said Commander Vyniski, "so in addition to collecting items we made a cash donation which Ken could use to purchase additional items."
Squadron Commander Bottino also gave Ackerman a cash donation on behalf of the Sons of the American Legion.
Volunteer Coordinator for Eva's Village today said "I am continuously amazed from the efforts of a few that can impact the many! All donations are so greatly appreciated."
Founded by Msgr. Vincent E. Puma in 1982 as a response to the poor and homeless in Paterson, NJ, Eva's Village is a non-profit comprehensive social service organization. Their mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, treat the addicted and provide medical care to the poor with respect for the human dignity of each individual.
Through almost three decades of service, Eva's Village has established a unique record in facing community challenges and changing the lives of the hungry, homeless and addicted. Eva's Village has grown from a simple soup kitchen to become the most respected anti-poverty program in New Jersey. It now includes 12 integrated programs housed in numerous buildings spanning several city blocks in downtown Paterson.
More than 50 percent of Eva's Village funding is provided through the donations of private individuals, churches, businesses, foundations and civic groups including the Nutley American Legion.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans' organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide the Legion has a very strong commitment to children and youth oriented programs. American Legion Posts are organized into Departments -- one each state as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Nutley Post 70 is part of the department of NJ. Membership is open to anyone who served at least one day on Active Duty while the nation was involved in a Congressional recognized conflict. There also are membership opportunities for the spouses and descendants of veterans within the larger organization.
The Nutley Post meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. at its home located at 45 Franklin Ave. in Nutley. For more information regarding Eva's Village or their work call (973) 823-6220. To make special arrangements for funding ask for the Development Department or contact the Volunteer Coordinator if you wish to volunteer.
