Johnston Fire Department, with community's help, packs rescue truck with Toys for Tots

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“Oh, what a night!” exclaimed Jon Pistacchio, a Johnston Fire Department lieutenant who doubles as vice president of Local 1950, as he stood in the cold outside Stephanie Harris’ Strings Bar and Grill on George Waterman Road last Wednesday night. “What a night!”

Pistacchio wasn’t singing Frankie Valli’s legendary hit “December 1963” however, it was without question a record-setting and extraordinary evening for the Johnston Association of Firefighters’ annual Toys for Tots Party.

So much so, in fact, people’s generosity was overflowing — just like the reserve JFD rescue vehicle — that resulted in the largest collection of toys, bikes and countless Christmas gifts Local 1950 officials delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit and will put smiles on the faces of children from needy families next weekend.

“We’re so thankful for the support this community showed for this very important cause,” Pistacchio and Local 1950 President Keith Calci emphasized. “With your help we not only reached our goal of filling a (reserve) rescue but we had to call for a second vehicle haul all the toys.”

Firefighters like Chris DelFino, in fact, didn’t have much of a chance to enjoy the merriment and music inside Strings Bar and Grill as people whose vehicles filled not one but two parking lots and came carrying everything from toys to bicycles and every kind of children’s Christmas gifts.

“This has been our most successful toy drive ye!” offered Dave Pingitore, Local 1950’s secretary-treasurer. “As Jon said; oh what a night!”

Pistacchio then added: “We want to thank Steph (Harris) for hosting the party and Mayor (Joseph) Polisena allowing us to use a reserve rescue.”

As Johnston State Sen. Frank Lombardo — who along with his wife Patty have attended almost all of the JFD’s Toys for Tots parties — this year’s event was what he called “an outpouring and overflowing of people whose intentions were to make Christmas 2021 special for children from needy families.”

“Hats off to our firefighters,” said Lombardo. “They are all good people who enjoy — and continue — to give back. I’m extremely proud to be a small part of this big event.”

Likewise, Johnston Town Council President Robert V. Russo again showed his unwavering support for the community and firefighters by sponsoring the band WitzEnd that drew rave reviews — as did Harris’ complimentary buffet — from party-goers.

Joseph Poliena Jr., Vice President of the Johnston Town Council, offered: “The firefighters did great job putting this year’s toy drive together. It shows their engagement and commitment to our community here in Johnston.”

Meanwhile, Santa (Paul Paon) was what Johnston School Committee Vice Chairman Joe Rotella said was “his usual jolly self” and as Pistacchio concluded: “Thank you to all the elected officials whose generous donations took us over the top as did our active members and retirees who once again dug deep and, of course, our amazing friends and family whose overwhelming support helped us smash our goal!”

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