This Is My New Jersey

I’ll be honest, this fall has been quite the rollercoaster ride and I’m not really jazzed for the rest of the year as the holidays approach. But I think I might know a way to turn it around, and I’m hoping you’ll help.

One month ago, my “adultier adult,” my Aunt Roslyn, went home to the Lord. She had been sick for a long time and she fought really hard until the end. I know she was tired and I know she is no longer in pain. Still, it doesn’t make things any easier.

She had a strong faith. She was a lot of things to different people. Wife, mother, daughter, aunt, grandmother, friend, and confidant. She also loved doing things for her community. In 1961, just married, she and my Uncle Tony made their first donation as man and wife to a local Toys for Tots drive. Over the years, that toy collection continued to grow and their home became a drop off point throughout the year. Toys would remain safely stored until they were collected by first responders and distributed to needy children throughout Essex County, including The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas in Livingston.

Even after Uncle Tony’s passing in 2002, she continued to collect toys for distribution, just like she did since 1961. The annual toy drive became such a success, it was renamed in her honor The Roslyn Bolcato Toy Drive in Glen Ridge.

This will be the first year she is not at the helm of this decades-long event. So we are doing everything we can to make sure it is the biggest and best one possible.

So that’s where you come in. I am asking that you drop off a new, unwrapped toy to the Glen Ridge Library or the Glen Ridge Municipal Building in her name by December 18th. We want to make sure this annual event continues to honor her love of children and her community.