Verona PBA Treats Students to 40th Annual Holiday Costume Trip

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 3:15pm

From left: Capt. Stephen DePoe, Lt. Michael Ruglio, (Ret. Sgt.) Michael Traettino, Mike Coccucci, P/O Brendan Huber, (Santa's Elf) P/O Stephanie Colon, (Elf On The Shelf) P/O Brian McMahon, (Santa Claus) P/O Jordan Descafano, (Minnon) P/O Robert Juliano, (Events Coordinator) Lt. Robert Shafer, (Olaf) P/O John DeSomma, (Michael-Angelo Ninja Turtle) P/O Robert Maguire, Sgt. Dan Greco, P/O Bill Frazee, (Santa's Elf) P/O TJ Conroy. Photo Credit: Ed Carattini Jr.

​VERONA, NJ - On Thursday, Dec. 15, members of the Verona Police P.B.A. Local 72 hosted their 40th Annual “Holiday Costume Trip.” The event, which involves officers visiting schools that focus on children who have special needs, was created in 1976 by Retired Verona Police Captain Fred Di Stefano. Police Lt. Robert Shafer now coordinates the event each year. 

"Verona Police Officers are still visiting the schools
with the same strength and enthusiasm as they did when it began," commented Ed Carattini Jr., State Delegate for the PBA. 
"They left their uniforms hanging neatly in their lockers for the day and instead put on the most cheerful and
creative costumes that they could find."

The PBA was grateful for the service of Keith from Unlimited Party Bus & Limo for donating his time and transportation to their cause.

"The Costume Trip is perhaps the longest running tradition
that the PBA participates in, and I am very proud
to be a part of something so special." expressed Shafer.
"It gives us a chance to get together and
make all these children smile and laugh.
Seeing how happy the kids get
definitely sets the mood for the rest of the holiday season.” 

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