This past Sunday was the Anthony Fasano Foundation’s 11th annual Bocce Bash at Verona Park, and once again, it benefited Backpacks for Life. The charity, which was started by Verona native and Marine Corps veteran Brett D’Alessandro in 2014, gives homeless veterans backpacks filled with a variety of donated supplies, including clothing, toiletries and information on veterans services.
Verona Kids Rock, a group of elementary school students who have been doing community service around Verona for the past three years, marked the day by bringing backpacks that they had filled with supplies, which they turned over to Alexa Modero, a co-founder of Backpacks for Life. Some of the parents of Verona Kids Rock members also played in this year’s bocce tournament. Essex County government’s team won the tournament, for the fourth year in a row.
