40th anniversary Children’s Benefit Fundraiser
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Children’s Benefit Fundraiser (Toy Drive/Christmas Holiday Party). Forty years ago, Joe Sarica of Linden sought to honor the memory of his niece by organizing a toy drive and raising funds to benefit local children in need. Also, a special tribute was paid this year to Joe’s sister, JoAnne Tortorello, who passed in 2022 from Breast Cancer and had been helping him from the startup of the benefit. This is a grassroots effort that has grown each year as his family. friends, neighbors, and businesses stepped up to help him out. Their donations went to several community service organizations. The party was held at the Union Elks Club on December 10, 2022 will benefit Linden Food Pantry LINCS, and St. Joseph’s Social Services in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
At the end of the evening Joe told the crowd that he will be stepping down as the point person and handing over the reins to the next generations of family members and great friends who will possibly lead the event for the next forty years! Joe and Jack Helfrich’s children and their nieces and nephews, who have been volunteering since they were young will be stepping up to take over planning and continuing the party and gift giving.
Sarica tapped into his network of musician friends to provide entertainment, forming an “All-Star Band” which featured over a dozen performers. Each year, an array of top talent generously entertains over 200 guests at the superbly catered event. Further, local businesses donate gifts that are raffled off to raise funds, and the toys brought by the guests fill a 10-foot U-Haul truck.
It is impossible to thank all those who volunteered, performed, and donated over the four decades, but when asked Sarica rattled off a list that seemed never ending, “Jack Helfrich, Denise Helfrich, Mary Sarica, Barbara and Mike Ozeransky, JoAnne and Vito Tortorello, Johnny and Vikki Sarica, Jack Gregory, Bill Daniel, John Dwyer, Yosh and Lori of The Linwood Tap House, Mr. B Printing, Barbara Harris and The Toys, Kenny Wiltshire, Rob Paparozzi, Mitch Eisenberg, Ed and Chrissy Schwalje, Patricia Schwalje Nicole Sarica, Dom and Elena Principato, Greg and Michelle Ginand, Mark and Natalie Tortorello, Mike Noon, Jim Brown, Bob O’Connell, Don Sweeney, Kevin and Patty Kanach, Sharon Cocuzza and herfamily (Anthony, Nicole, Kelly & Ryan), Ryan and Kelly Helfrich, Nick Adase, Tom and Cat Pascale, Mike Soresso, Mike Reuben, Joe Rivera and the Fellas, Tony Nardini, Howie and the Elks Club, Linden KOC, Joe LaPlaca, Bernadette Murphy, Sister Jacinta, Kathy Willis, Carmine Coppa, Mike Giunta, Alexandra Tamayo and Chef Billy of Bayway Catering. Martin and Linda Mulligan. Mary Dudal and Leo DiGuilio, Dan and Jennifer Holzmann, Hetal Parmar . . .”
Social service organizations suffered over the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, and in turn, the families they service suffered worse. The Children’s Benefit Toy Drive is the quintessential grassroots community service of neighbors helping neighbors. The network has grown as friends of friends get involved.
The next generation would like the 2023 event held in December grow even bigger. They are starting a year-long campaign to invite anyone who wants to make a donation or purchase a ticket to email marleymarion@aol.com.
Joe Sarica, would like to Thank Renna Media for your Help and Hardwork.
