West Haven Vietnam Veterans Dole Out Turkeys To Those In Need

WEST HAVEN, CT — (Contributed): Members of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. delivered and distributed more than 100 bags of frozen turkeys and fixings to needy veterans and their families at the Errera VA Clinic on Nov. 21.

Vietnam Veterans President Dave Ricci and other members coordinated the turkey distribution at the Route 1 medical clinic with Wayne Hammond, the leader of the Vertical Church Service Team in West Haven.

The turkeys were donated by the Hometown Foundation’s “HungerLESS Holidays” program, a charitable organization based in Cheshire and founded by Bozzuto’s Inc., a family of retailers and community business partners.

“This particular effort is special to us, as these recipients are brothers and sisters to us as veterans,” said Ricci, who doled out the turkeys with Vietnam Veterans Vice President Al Beck Sr., Treasurer Steve Carney, and members Kevin Sullivan and Howie Thomas.

“In partnership with West Haven Vietnam Veterans, we were able to deliver 100 turkeys with baskets for our veterans and their families this year,” Hammond said.

Hammond said the church outreach team pays it forward to veterans by hosting bingo every Saturday, escorting vets to medical appointments at the West Haven VA Medical Center, and decorating the Campbell Avenue center’s front lobby for Christmas.

In conjunction with Bozzuto’s, the nonprofit Hometown Foundation Inc. is dedicated to helping those in need.

“Jamie Hughes and members of the team at the Bozzuto’s Hometown Foundation HungerLESS Holidays program, as well as all of the supporting employees at Bozzuto’s, should all take a well-deserved bow,” Ricci said. “They are all very special people, the angels on our shoulders.”

The foundation, established in 2002, raises money for programs that meet community needs, including animal welfare, emergency response personnel, major illness and the military, according to its website.

Pictured: More than 100 bags of frozen turkeys and fixings are prepared for distribution to needy veterans and their families in the kitchen of the Errera VA Clinic at 114 Boston Post Road in West Haven on Nov. 21. Organizing the effort are, from left, West Haven Vietnam Veterans members Kevin Sullivan and Howie Thomas, Vice President Al Beck Sr., President Dave Ricci and Treasurer Steve Carney, along with members of the Vertical Church Service Team in West Haven, led by Wayne Hammond, right. The turkeys were donated by the Hometown Foundation’s “HungerLESS Holidays” program, a charity based in Cheshire and founded by Bozzuto’s Inc. (Contributed Photo)