SERINO AND VET2VET SERVE HUNDREDS AT FIRST DRIVE-THRU APPRECIATION PASTA DINNER

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY - Senator Sue Serino and Mental Health America of Dutchess County Vet2Vet Program hosted their first of three Drive-Thru Veterans Appreciation Pasta Dinners this past Sunday, October 4, 2020 at the Knights of Columbus located in Hopewell Junction. Over 250 free meals were distributed to local veterans and their guest, along with important information on local services and resources.

“This past Sunday’s event was a unique opportunity to thank our local heroes and connect them with area resources that have become even more important during the pandemic,” said Senator Sue Serino. Even though this year’s events look very different, it was an honor to have the opportunity to serve those who have done so much for us. Now, more than ever,  I look forward to seeing more of our veterans at our upcoming drive-thru events in Dutchess and Putnam counties.”

“It was great to see that many Veterans come out,” said Anthony Kavouras, Program Manager of Mental Health America of Dutchess County Vet2Vet. “Everything was done safely with social distancing and masks and it was a great way to celebrate our brother and sisterhood together, I look forward to having more events like this in the near future and beyond.”

Adam Roche, Director of Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services said, “It was absolutely fantastic seeing our veterans today, at Senator Serino’s Annual Veterans Pasta Dinner. It was different considering the difficult time our Country is going through, but COVID can’t take away the smiles and appreciation that our veterans have for events like this. Senator Serino and her staff have gone above and beyond to make sure our Veterans are recognized and has gone above and beyond for our Veterans in Albany.”

Senator Serino and Mental Health America of Dutchess County Vet2Vet Program will host two more free Drive-Thru Veteran Appreciation Pasta Dinners in Dutchess County:

·      Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Elks Lodge (29 Overocker Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603); and

·      Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Beacon Elks Lodge (900 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY 12508) 

To RSVP for either of the above dates, please call Senator Serino’s Hyde Park Office at 845-229-0106 or email serino@nysenate.gov. 

Senator Serino will also join in partnering with the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet Program of Putnam County to host a Veterans Appreciation Chow Down on Sunday, November 1, 2020 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. To RSVP for this free event, please call Senator Serino’s Putnam County Office at 845-528-0417 or email serino@nysenate.gov. 

The dinners are one of many ways for local veterans to connect with the Dutchess County Vet2Vet Program—a program that provides peer-to-peer support in a non-clinical setting to assist veterans who suffer from the effects of PTSD, TBI, addiction or other mental health challenges. Individuals looking to learn more about the Vet2Vet Program can do so by contacting Anthony Kavouras, Program Manager, at 845-473-2500 ext. 1364. For more information, click here.

For information on the upcoming dinners, click here. 

Senator Serino will also be hosting a free Virtual Veterans Networking Event on October 21^st at 5:30 p.m. Individuals learning more about this event should contact Senator Serino’s Office at 845-229-0106 or visit http://www.serino.nysenate.gov/.

For more information, please call Senator Serino’s District Office. 

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