ROME, NY — No one went away hungry following the recent spaghetti dinner served up by CSEA members working for the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (CNY DDSO), least of all the veterans on whose behalf the union members raised more than $2400 to help feed.
It was the second time members of the CNY DDSO Local Veterans Committee put on a spaghetti dinner, held at a local veterans hall in Rome. The $2425 raised went to Feed Our Vets, a national organization based in nearby Utica that operates several food pantries for veterans in need.
Local Veterans Committee Chair and event organizer Paul Jones said about 18 union members volunteered to help out at the event, from cooking, to serving, to selling tickets and busing tables. They even had help from CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Denise Campbell who pitched in to wait tables. Overall, the union members served more than 185 meals, and they surpassed their fundraising goal.
“I just want to thank everyone who came out. I feel it was a huge success supported by our Local officers and our veterans committee. I’m a very big supporter of Feed Our Vets and it’s just our way of giving back to them,” Jones said.
Feed Our Vets founder Rich Synek was on hand with several of his staff to assist and collect the funds raised. He said they were very thankful for the union workers’ fundraising efforts.
“The union really came through for us and we just can’t thank them enough,” Synek said. “It means the world to us and the veterans we help feed.”
— Mark M. Kotzin
For more info, visit Feed Our Vets
Click below to see photos taken by CSEA Communications Specialist Mark Kotzin at the event.
