www.njcopsmagazine.com n JANUARY 2015
COVER STORY
27
R
The gift of giving that runs so deep in law enforcement officers has
taken the Bergen County PBA Toy Drive to infinity and beyond
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
n PHOTOS BY ED CARATTINI JR.
In this toy story, Santa’s workshop looks a lot like the interior
of the Closter Fire House. And Santa’s helpers wear badges and
shirts with logos that
represent NJ State
PBA Locals throughout Bergen County.
In this toy story,
thousands of kids
have been given holiday joy they otherwise might never
have felt. Thousands
of sick kids and their
parents have experienced true
Christmas miracles. Thousands of moms have been able to give
their children holiday gifts they never thought they would have
the means to do so. And hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers
have had somebody to take their place and play Santa while
they were fighting for our freedom in a faraway land.
In this toy story, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are rolled into the
persona of Bergen County Local 233 retired member Don Nico-
letti, who for 25 years has helped so many members and law
enforcement officers remember that, despite what’s in the local
newspapers or who is protesting in New York – or worse, it’s a
wonderful life to be able to serve and give to the community on
this level.
Call this Toy Story 25, for in 2014, the 25th Annual Bergen
County PBA Toy Drive brought together 42 departments and
hundreds of PBA members
for an event that keeps on
giving more and more
every year. What started
with four departments fillThis article contains
ing three pick-up trucks
with toys that went to one
material that might make
hospital now donates bags
you well up and cry.
of toys to charitable agencies, fills three box trucks
with toys that go to three
hospitals, provides holiday cheer for more than 250 military
families and even has its own Santa Claus.
“This not only makes your day, it makes your entire year,”
said Local 233 member and Closter Detective Vinny Aiello who
has worked the drive all 13 years he has been on the job. “We
have the privilege to meet some of the kids and to see their faces