"Banding Together" for an Iselin-ite

Iselin-ite? Is that what you call someone from Iselin?

Someone who grew up here, and still lives here with her own family?

I guess that's the right word.

So, what exactly IS Banding Together?

Aside from being THE social event of Iselin for the holiday season?

THE place to be?

It's a Benefit Concert for Donna Nier Pallino... (the Iselin-ite) to support her as she battles cancer. 

(When I took this picture of Donna last spring, I told her I wanted to put her on my blog some day, and she said it was fine with her.  We never imagined that this would be the reason.) 

Take my word for it - it's a worthy cause. This is a wonderful, hometown family who's just hit a patch of bad luck. Donna has been a crossing guard for years. She and her husband have both been active volunteers in town... I met her when she was a den mother for Cub Scouts, and she and her husband worked hard for the Iselin Athletic Association Little League. They have three wonderful kids. The whole situation reminds me a little of "It's a Wonderful Life" because when a really great family needs just a little help and encouragement... and here it is, the holiday season... the whole community, a better community because of the Pallino's part in it, will pull together to show that they care.

The concert will take place Wednesday, December 29 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm, at Royal Albert's Palace, which is located at 1050 King George Post Road in Fords NJ. Royal Albert's Palace is ALWAYS doing good deeds of this kind. Tickets are on sale now at Transition Salon, located at 1148 St. Georges Avenue in Avenel.

Headlining will be a local band, Marilyn is Dead. If you are a teen in Iselin you've probably heard of them. Also appearing will be Fairfield. Best of all, in my opinion? the JFK Faculty is putting together a band... and I can bet that these people are gonna be amazing, because I've heard a lot of them play. THAT, right there, will be the adult portion of the evening, and I'm hoping it's the opening act. More bands may be announced in the near future.

I got all this information from the Facebook page made up for the event. If you are on Facebook, you can do a search for "Banding Together" and you'll probably find it too.

Donations, going directly to the Pallino family, can be made to "Banding Together Foundation." They can be dropped off or mailed to JFK Memorial High School 200 Washington Ave. Iselin NJ 08830 or mailed to 56 Dewitt Ter. Colonia NJ 07067, or Transition Salon 1148 St. Georges Ave. Avenel NJ 07001. All donations will go directly to the Pallino Family through the Banding Together Foundation. Tax ID #27-4151356. All donations can be a tax deduction. If you leave your name and address with the donation a receipt will be mailed to you for your records. Thanks everyone, and we'll see ya there!