Elves make Toys for Tots drive successful

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Sometime around 8 o’clock Saturday night, Johnston Firefighter Paul Muscatelli showed up at Bar 101 and handed Local 1950 Board Member John Jasparro several boxes of toys that were already overflowing from the JFD Rescue vehicle parked outside the popular watering hole-eatery at 1478 Atwood Avenue.

Although each member of the Johnston Association of Firefighters Local 1950 had already made personal and generous donation for this year’s Toys for Tots Drive, Muscatelli said while adding to the colossal collection inside and outside the JFD Rescue: “We always go above and beyond to make sure needy children will have a Merry Christmas.”

That statement was commonplace during Saturday night’s Toys for Tots Party that was highlighted by an all-time collection of toys, games, bikes and just about every type of children’s gift imaginable. Then there was the on-going, unmatched hospitality provided by Bar 101 partners Pete Matteo, Justin Lemieux and chef extraordinaire Jamie Beaulieu and their super staff that made the night special.

In fact, Bar 101 rolled out more than the red carpet, as Beaulieu prepared a complimentary buffet that consisted of sausage and peppers, roasted pork tenderloin, penne with pink vodka sauce, house-made fried ravioli and pork dumplings for those people who made toy donations and more.

“Year after year we’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity at our annual toy drive,” said Lt. Jon Pistacchio, vice president of Local 1950. “On behalf of the Johnston Firefighters we want to thank President Mike Andreozzi and all the JPD Local 307 members for their help, this was a record-setting year for sure.”

Moreover, as Local 1950 President Keith Calci said: “The donations kept coming and coming … we also have to thank our jolly Santa Paul Paon, Mayor Joseph Polisena and JFD Chief Peter Lamb for allowing us to use the rescue for tonight’s toy collection.”

“I’ve never seen so many toys at one place,” said John Graham, a board member of the Johnston Memorial Cancer Events who showed up with toys and took pictures of people like State Sen. Frank Lombardo and his wife Patty who continued their generous giving in form of a bike and other toys. “I’ll wager that there’s no other event like this in the state.”

The generosity extended beyond Bar 101 at such places as The Ledges Apartments where Property Manger Mike Smith, who Pistacchio said, “came through big time with a huge donation of toys.”

Likewise, Pistacchio’s wife Kristy – who helped publicize the 2018 Toys for Tots Drive – was also among the largest donors, as she set up a box inside the Walgreen’s store she manages at the intersection of Plainfield Pike and Atwood Avenue that was overflowing with toys that were part of Saturday night’s unbelievable collection.

Add to that local businesses like Anthony Romeo’s Atomic Salon, My Cousin Vinny’s Rentals and Ani’s Full Service Salon for their generous donations and as Pistacchio and Calci continued: “everyone who came here tonight and donated toys to this very important cause.”

Yet another key to the 2018 record-setting success was the head start Local 1950 Secretary-Treasurer Dave Pingitore and Executive Board Member Sal Martira made by heading out early to shop and finding the best deals possible for toys; and fact that the drive was fueled by cash donations from every single Johnston Firefighter.

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