MONROE — American Legion Post 522 had a busy winter and will continue with its community support programs throughout the spring.
This past fall and winter, the Legion sponsored a coloring contest for fourth and fifth graders at one of the township’s elementary schools. The top three students were awarded gift cards to Barnes & Noble.
On March 23, Commander Nicholas Ferrarotto and two other Legionnaires appeared at Monroe Township High School to interview juniors who want to participate in the Department of New Jersey Boys State program in June at Rider University. Boys State gives the boys a better understanding of how government works, as they create their own working government, according to a statement prepared by Ferrarotto. Post 522 will sponsor three delegates and three alternates.
The legion will award a Monroe Township High School senior with the American Legion Americanism Award in May.
On May 16, the Monroe Township Chorus has invited Post 522 to present the colors at its Salute to Veterans event, which will be held at the Monroe Township Middle School Auditorium, The Marasco Performing Arts Center on Perrineville Road, at 7 p.m. All veterans are encouraged to attend and wear any veterans organization caps, hats and/or uniforms. Also attending will be military personnel who are on active duty.
With Memorial Day approaching, Legion members are in the midst of their annual Poppy Drive. Throughout May, Legionnaires will be collecting donations and distributing poppies to help disabled, homeless and destitute veterans from all branches of service. Last year, Post 522 donated more than $8,000 collected during the Poppy Drive to over 22 organizations around the country, according to Ferrarotto. Approximately half of that amount was donated in clothing and comfort items to a veterans hospital in New Jersey, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, two veterans shelters and a veterans nursing facility.
On May 26 at 7 p.m., the legion will be hold its 2016-18 post officers’ installation at the Jamesburg Elks Club on West Railroad Avenue. All post members and their guests are welcome. To attend, email Ferrarotta at alpost522@comcast.net.
Post 522 is seeking new members. Any veteran may view the qualifications for membership at www.alpost522.com.
