Long before Saturday’s scheduled 7 p.m. start, people were coming-and-going from Pete Matteo’s Bar 101 at 1478 Atwood Ave. armed with large bags and boxes of toys.
Their mission was simple – help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve generate as many gifts as possible for the award-winning Toys for Tots program.
And it didn’t take long for Marines like Master Gunnery Sgt. Frank Impagliazzo and Staff Sgt. Deries Kaywood or U.S. Navy Chief Johnny Rivera to learn first-hand that Johnston is a great and caring community, especially when it comes to helping needy families and children.
Even after a stepping off a plane following a 17-hour flight from Taiwan, Johnston state Sen. Frank Lombardo took a quick nap then came with his wife Patty to Bar 101 to show their support for what Johnston’s police and fire unions were doing to boost the Toys for Tots drive.
“I can’t believe all the toys,” Lombardo said upon his arrival at Bar 101, where a Johnston rescue vehicle was parked and packed with games, bicycles and other items. “This is special. It’s a great outpouring from our police and firefighters to help children of all ages have a Christmas.”
By night’s end, the rescue was overflowing with toys.
“We don’t have a total number of toys,” Jon Pistacchio, vice president of the Johnston Association of Fire Fighters Local 1950, offered. “But look at this rescue. The toys are almost packed to the ceiling.”
Although the total number of toys was not known – simply because there were too many to count – Pistacchio said “we definitely beat last year’s record.”
This year’s Toys for Tots drive didn’t end with Saturday evening’s party at Bar 101, however – it continued until Sunday morning.
“We received a donation of four huge boxes of toys Sunday morning from residents at The Ledges apartments,” Pistacchio said. “It’s great how everyone gets together for this event.”
That was, for all intents and purposes, an understatement considering that until several years ago both the firefighter and police unions held separate toys drives.
“We’re all glad that we decided to combine out separate toys drives and turn it into one large event,” Pistacchio said. “By joining forces with Pete Matteo and Bar 101, this event is nothing less than remarkable. The proof is right there in the back of the rescue … just look at all those toys.”
To which Keith Calci, president of Local 1950, and James Brady, president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 307, concurred that the combined effort has led to record numbers of people donating toys to help children from less fortunate families have a merry Christmas.
“The generosity of just the people who showed up tonight is special,” Calci said while enjoying the free buffet that Matteo served to each and every person who attended Saturday night’s toy collection party. “I know I can speak for all the members of both unions, we enjoy helping people in our community, no matter was the season – or reason.”
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