Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has announced that the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency will host its fourth annual Veterans Resource & Stand Down Event on Thursday, November 10th, 2022 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM in the main lobby for the H. Lee Dennison Building located at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge. This year, 5 organizations will participate offering a variety of resources free-of-charge. Registration is required beforehand. To register, please click here.
Participating sponsors include: Covanta, PSEG Long Island, Moonjumpers, General Needs and Home Depot.
Attending veterans and their families will have an opportunity to receive a variety of resources including: boots, winter coats, socks, t-shirts, underwear, energy-efficient light bulbs, information about local veterans nonprofit programs, and much more.
“With more veterans than any other county in New York State, here in Suffolk it is not only our duty, but our mission to ensure that those who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms are supported, honored, and recognized,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Providing veterans and their families the resources they need for free is just a small way we are able to give back to them, for sacrificing so much for us.”
Legislator Nick Caracappa, Veteran Affairs Committee Chair said: “This event is one of the best events that Suffolk County offers to our Veterans. It is so important to recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women that served our great country. Providing resources to those who desperately need them most is what this event is all about. I am so very thankful to everyone who participates in this event and partners with Suffolk County to show how much we appreciate, respect and support our hometown veterans who make up the largest population of veterans than any other county in New York State.”
Maureen Early, Senior Community Specialist at Covanta said: "Covanta is proud to partner with Suffolk County in helping our local veterans. These men and women selflessly dedicated themselves to our country and it is with this spirit that we give back to them as our neighbors, friends and family.”
Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island vice president, Transmission and Distribution said: “We are proud to partner with Suffolk County, Moonjumpers and General Needs to provide and distribute coats, boots and light bulbs to our military veterans. For Veterans Day and throughout the year, PSEG Long Island and our employees are committed to supporting the military community and honoring our neighbors who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces.”
Bob Benson, President, Moonjumpers said: “Moonjumpers would like to thank our Veterans for their service to this country. Your bravery, sacrifice, and strength do not go unnoticed, and we will always be indebted to you and your family for all that you have given to the country. We would like to thank you very much for your service! Thank you for your time, bravery, and sacrifice for this country.”
Lonnie Sherman, President/Founder of General Needs said: “Helping homeless veterans and veterans in need in the NY Metro area is what General Needs does every day. We are honored to participate in this important veteran event, in our own backyard of Suffolk County, in recognition of Veteran’s Day 2022. We are proud to partner with Suffolk County Veteran’s Service Agency, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, PSEG Long Island, Covanta & Moonjumpers. Great organizations coming together to support Suffolk County Veterans.”
County Executive Bellone also announced, for the second year in a row, the Operation Green Light Initiative. It is designed to honor, recognize, and shine a light on the immeasurable contributions and service of our veterans. The initiative is also designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.
With more veterans than any other County in New York State, residents are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house or on their front porch to a green bulb. As part of the initiative, Home Depot graciously donated 100 green light bulbs to the County, which will be distributed at our Veterans Resource & Stand Down Event.
Green light bulbs can also be purchased at a number of local retail stores. Residents can share their participation on social media by using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
Additionally, County Executive Bellone has directed the H. Lee Dennison Building to be illuminated green on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, as part of Operation Green light.