rap #309 11/17/08

A HOLIDAY TRADITION CONTINUES – VETERANS BUREAU TO DISTRIBUTE THANKSGIVING MEALS TO NEEDY VETS

IT’S BEEN A holiday tradition for more than two decades. When the leaves fall from the trees and the first cold winds blow, you can be assured that Ocean County’s veterans will be there for their comrades with a ready-to-cook Thanksgiving day meal.

Once again, dozens of volunteer veterans will distribute hundreds of turkey dinners to their fellow vets.

“Since 1985 our needy veterans have known that they can count on a holiday meal thanks to the hard work of our Veterans Service Bureau and a group of dedicated volunteers,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little.

The Veterans Bureau has already collected more than $6,000 in donations from local veterans posts and organizations for the dinners.

Turkeys and all the trimmings will be handed out at the bureau office, 1027 Hooper Avenue in Toms River on Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 4 pm.

“Thanks to these donations we will have enough food to feed almost 375 families,” Little said.

Little, who is liaison to the Veterans Service Bureau, also praised the organizations that contributed to the holiday program.

VFW Post 8867 in Brick contributed $5,000. American Legion Post 348 in Brick and VFW Post 6063 in Toms River each collected $500 in donations. The New Jersey Association of Veterans Service Workers contributed $300.

Little said he’s always impressed by the spirit of the dozens of veterans who come out, no matter what the weather, to distribute the holiday meals.

“These men and women genuinely enjoy helping their fellow veterans,” he said. “What better way to kickoff the season of giving than by ensuring that those who have given so much to their nation can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families.”

Needy veterans who need a thanksgiving meal must be pre-registered. For more information, contact Lorrie at the Ocean County Veterans service Bureau, (732) 929-2096.

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