Classic Car Show raises $540 for wounded veterans

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Every Thursday for the past month, vintage car enthusiasts have gathered near Rockaway Avenue for the village Classic Car Show, sponsored by the Valley Stream Lion’s Club.

But this past Thursday on June 27 was a bit different, as donations collected at the show went toward Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, a nonprofit comprising members from nearly 40 fire departments across Nassau County who help raise funds for outreach efforts to veterans wounded in the line of duty.

Stephen Grogan, vice chairman of Operation Wounded Warrior, said the mission of the organization is to provide comfort to injured veterans as they undergo rehabilitation, with fundraisers held throughout the year to help pay for items such as iPads and laptops, gifts for family and children, golf trips, home appliances, holiday hospital visits and much more.

“We rely on the different departments to hold fundraisers,” Grogan explained. “We raise our money mostly from the fire services, but also other events like this.”

He said the Village of Valley Stream had invited him to have the week’s Classic Car Show serve as a fundraiser for his organization.

“This is a community event where everybody comes for free, gets to socialize, talk enjoy live music and share in a cause,” said Mayor Ed Fare, “and tonight we have Wounded Warrior night.”

Grogan thanked the village for inviting him, and all told, the event raised $540 for his organization.

“We appreciate them remembering our wounded veterans,” he said, “and we appreciate that they called us to help us raise funds to make life just a little bit better for these wounded warriors.”