Homemakers give back to keep vets warm

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Each year, as the winter weather starts to cool down, the Rockville Centre Homemakers pitch in to help donate much-needed socks, and personalized cards to veterans.

This year, the group pitched in to donate 250 pairs of socks — 200 for the men and 50 for the women in the armed services — and a quilt, which was decorated in Stars and Stripes.

“The Rockville Centre homemakers want to make sure that the men and women (in the military) know that their service has not been forgotten,” the club’s co-president Mary Ann Grandazza said. “The white socks are wrapped in red white and blue ribbon with an attached note that states thank you for your service, the holiday cards all read, ‘Thank you for your service.’”

The organization is composed of about 60 women from ages 50 to 97 who regularly meet to share and enjoy various skills and activities.

The club, which is currently celebrating 105 years in Nassau County, has been giving back to local veterans for more than the last decade.

“We just want to give back the best way we can, and know that we can make a difference,” Grandazza said. “A kind gesture goes a long way.”

All of the socks are purchased at the Sock Factory in Garden City and are decorated in red, white and blue ribbon with a homemade tag thanking them for their service. The socks are then packaged and donated to the American Legion Post No. 303 in Rockville Centre, which helps deliver them to the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.

“They do a great job,” American Legion Post Commander Frank Colón said. “They’re a nice bunch of ladies and they appreciate helping out.”

In past years these socks were distributed to veterans at the Northport VA Medical Center, the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, and to troops overseas.

The RVC Homemakers have done a great deal for the community over the years, including their support to Catholic Health’s Mercy Medical Center, South Nassau Communities Hospital and other local organizations, which they have helped by making pillows for breast cancer patients, hats for premature babies, blankets for cancer patients, and red scarves for heart patients.

Colón said that they also help out with the “Stand Down for Homeless Veterans” event every year at the Armory in Freeport.

“They always want to help out the veterans,” Colón said.  “We truly appreciate them and think it’s great what they’re doing.”

The RVC Homemakers meet on Tuesdays at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, 111 N. Oceanside Rd., and anyone 18 or older is welcome to join. Their next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 at 10 a.m. For more information, contact co-president Karen Alterson at kaltersonk4@gmail.com.