The Belleville Post 105 American Legion Family donated $2,200 to the Gail’s Angels Foundation in November.
This is the fifth year the 105 Family, via Squadron 105, has run a fundraiser that benefits cancer research and support. The first two years this was run, the charities that benefited were the Susan J. Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society, until the squadron discovered the Belleville-based Gail’s Angels.
The Gail’s Angels Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing support to families that have a mom with breast cancer and also care for an autistic or special needs child. Their sole concern is the welfare of these families as the fight continues to be waged on breast cancer. Gail’s Angels was founded in 2007 to honor the memory of Gail E. Babaim who died of breast cancer in 2006. With the slogan “We offer the Wings of Hope to insure you’re Never Alone”, the organization is Belleville-based, with the owner, James Babai, also being the owner of Essex Cigar Lounge on Washington Ave.
“All I can say is I feel so blessed for the concern and generosity [from] you and the entire American Legion Family,” wrote Babai in a note to the squadron.
SAL 1st Vice Commander Vinnie Ferriole, having had cancer himself, is chairman of the Cancer Fundraising Committee within the Sons. “As for me, I would like to say being a cancer survivor, I know how important this is to people … [we] hope to do better every year.”
The bulk of the monies donated come from the annual picnic at the post in September, where the Sons set up a booth accepting donations and holding a raffle. This year, the SAL ordered custom Gail’s Angels shirts, with the Gail’s logo in pink on the back, and the American flag and a cancer ribbon on the sleeves. The shirts were designed by our friends at National Sportswear in Belleville, where the four owners – the Tartaglia brothers – are also all members of the Sons at 105.
With a donation by the SAL, plus donations from the post, Auxiliary Unit 105, and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Auxiliary Unit 22, the total came out to $2,200. The donation was made in person, with everyone wearing their Gail’s shirts, at Essex Cigar one night to James Babai. A photo was taken with the big check.
“Because of you guys, Gail's Angels was able to feed 70 people this Thanksgiving, and will be honored to supply 100 pediatric cancer patients this Christmas with toys and hope,” noted Babai.
