Phoenix committee hosts fundraiser

The James Donohue Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347 building has been in a state of disrepair; leaving the veterans without a home base since the fire in August 2021. Efforts to rebuild have been slow since the insurance company has not been able to completely cover the costs to renovate. Glen Cove community members, Gaitley Stevenson-Matthews, a local voice and speech coach, Jeanine DiMenna, owner of The View Grill, and Noah Stone, a recent Hofstra University graduate, decided to band together and use their birthday on Feb. 19 as a chance to hold a fundraiser to help the post at The View Grill. 

“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for our veteran community,” Stevenson-Matthews said.  

“I recognize, appreciate, and was raised with an appreciation of the sacrifices that they have made and continue to make in preserving and protecting our freedom.” 

The group has grown since their first meeting on Jan. 31, with Eva Casale, Mike Gadaleta, Dana Glidden, Connie Pinilla, Angelina Stanco-Stone, Mary Stanco, and Mary Suddell joining to form the Phoenix Rising Executive Committee. They have worked to gain sponsors, donations, develop the VFW website, and collaborated on the fundraiser. 

“I didn’t hesitate for a minute to step up and help. Because in return, the VFW, those gentlemen, are always the first…in our community to respond as well,” Suddell, the committee’s community outreach liaison, said. “It just meant the world to me to be a part of doing this amazing fundraiser…It doesn’t just stop this Saturday. We will continue to put forth our efforts to help them rebuild.” 

During their first week, the committee was able to raise roughly $3,000 and has sponsored raffle baskets ready for the fundraiser. 

Henryk Norwici, Post 347 commander, said he is grateful for the committee’s contribution. “The community is wonderful,” Norwici said. “We have local support … and hopefully this will be a big one because the insurance company is not really giving us enough to rebuild.” 

Stevenson-Matthews, who comes from a military family, first pitched the idea of turning the group’s founding members individual birthday celebrations into a collaborated event for the veterans back in January. 

Stone’s mother, Stanco-Stone, who is the secretary and community fundraising officer, said her son was eager to have his birthday support the VFW. “I was such a proud mom to know that my son did not even hesitate to join this effort to help the veterans who are extremely important to our community,” Stanco-Stone said. 

VFW Post 347 building has historical and community significance. After World War I, Glen Cove veterans built the post on Hill Street in 1920, where it continued to stand till this day. It was named after the James E. Donohue, who was the first Glen Cove casualty to return from the war. Descendants of some of these veterans continue to live in Glen Cove. Until last year’s fire, the veteran’s base was home to Post 347 and the North Shore Soup Kitchen. The committee hopes to help the VFW restore their home. 

The “birthday extravaganza” fundraiser will be held at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the View Grill. There will be a birthday celebration, award ceremony, raffles, and a dinner. Tickets will be sold at the door and online, however, space is limited.  All proceeds will be donated to VFW Post 347. To buy tickets, donate, or sponsor visit www.vfwpost347.com