Cops’ efforts bring smiles to kids in need Many pitch in with donations for annual Cops for Kids party BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent OLD BRIDGE — The George Bush Senior Center was decked out in holiday style for the annual Cops for Kids party Friday. More than 50 children and their families came to enjoy dinner, holiday music, face painting and a visit from Santa himself. Old Bridge police officers, in an effort to bring some happiness to children in the community during the holidays, have been sponsoring the event for the past 10 years. “Some of these families have kids who are disabled — they may be single parents or grandparents raising their kids. They don’t always get a whole lot under the tree, but we make sure they get something,” said Old Bridge Police Lt. Ross Moltisanti. He and his fellow officer volunteers wandered about the hall Friday evening, stopping at different tables to chat with parents and joke with the kids, who were excitedly waiting for Santa. “I want an angel costume and a rocket ship” said 4-year-old Page Cole, her long blond curls bouncing as she skipped around her mother, Jaime, and 12-year-old brother Kyle. “We have been coming here for a couple of years,” Jaime said. “The kids really look forward to it.” Kyle noted that his favorite gift from the past parties was a remote control car. This was Kaleena Grant’s first time at the Cops for Kids party. The 11-year-old student at Carl Sandburg Middle School and her family had just moved to the area. “This is fun,” she said. Officer Steve McCauley played Santa Claus. He was assisted by Sgt. Joe Mandola while Officer Mark Levine took pictures of the kids sitting on Santa’s lap. “Come on, look over here,” he called patiently again and again to children too excited with Santa and their gifts to look up at the camera. There was no need to tell them to smile. Officers James McCauley, Pat Donofrio and Carmen Spitale had arrived early to set up. Spitale would be staying late to clean up. He had brought his grandson, Jonathon Walt, 14, of Old Bridge, noting it’s just a lot of fun. The party isn’t the only event sponsored by Cops for Kids. “For the past 10 years we’ve done all kinds of fundraising, including baseball and basketball games. We’ve taken the kids to see the BlueClaws in Lakewood,” Spitale said. They have always enjoyed the support of the Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, organizations that represent patrolmen and higher ranking officers, but three years ago the officers formed Cops for Kids. The group, which is not part of any national organization, was created by Moltisanti and his colleagues to benefit local children. But they do not work alone. Other township employees are happy to pitch in and help the group. “We’re the elves,” Libby Flynn, a township 911 operator, said with a laugh. She and Jeanette Nielson, the police 911 coordinator, were helping people check in. “I love it. It makes the kids so happy,” Nielson said. With her red shirt, Santa Claus earrings and cheery personality, Carol Larson is more Mrs. Claus than elf. Larson has worked for the township’s Recreation Department for 28 years. Her face paintings were a big hit with the kids, who formed a long line around her table. “Kids come around a second time,” she noted as she painted snowflakes and snowmen. “The boys always want Halloween-type things like spiders and skulls. I try to talk them into paintings that are more for Christmas,” she said. “This is my favorite. I love painting their little faces. The kids all have a good time.” Moltisanti said he was really grateful to the community businesses that donated to the project. La Dolce Bakery, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Domino’s Pizza, Top Hat Catering, the Grand Marquis, ShopRite, the Old Bridge DARE program, and Freihofer’s of Edison all contributed to the food and drinks. MTV Driving School, Provident Bank, JM Flooring of Spotswood and Carpet Cottage of Matawan, donated funds for the event. NBC Today Toy Drive donated toys, as did Carol Sereda and Trish Palahonki. Scores, of New York, contributed gift cards.