Dear Editor:
Leonard S. Dian, Past District Governor and member of the North Bergen Lions Club, is appealing to local merchants and/or residents who have connections with distributors or manufacturers of the following items. baseball caps, T-shirts, white socks, tooth paste, tooth brushes, Christmas candy, letter writing material, pastry, soda, cookies and sandwiches, who are willing to donate them to the Lions for distribution at the Veterans Hospital in East Orange, NJ.
The Christmas music will be supplied by Lenny Dian, professional pianist and the wizard of the banjo, Chet Chessari.
As in the past five years, Christmas Carols will be sung by members of the North Bergen Lions Club, namely, President Anthony Landriscina, Past District Governors Paula Tarantino and Al Knaub; Past Deputy Governor Bob and Marge Diehl; Past President Steve and Virginia Dato and Lion Louise Cappadona.
The Disabled Veterans of West New York, Chapter 49 Commanded by Edward Morales and Adjutant Herculano Dias have made contributions to the V.A. Hospital these past three years.
Lenny Dian, who is himself, an outpatient of the V.A. Hospital, originally started the Christmas parties for the hospitalized veterans of World War II, however, since the remaining WWII veterans are now in nursing homes, the need is to bring a little Christmas to the hospitalized Korean and Vietnam Veterans.
If you care to donate to this worthy cause, please phone Dotty or Lenny Dian at 941-1817.
An unforgettable moment at the hospital last year that touched all of us was when a Veteran got up to speak on behalf of all the patients and said, "This is the happiest event of the year just to know that somebody still cares, and that you’ve taken time from your work and busy schedules to share this day with us and to know we have not been forgotten." With tears in his eyes he said, "Thank you and God Bless you."
Lenny Dian