Printer Friendly Version - North Haven Ballplayers Rake Leaves for Local Veterans

A group of North Haven American Legion baseball players came out to help local veterans rake leaves in commemoration of Veterans Day. Pictured are (front) First Selectman Michael J. Freda and State Representative Dave Yaccarino; along with (middle) Robert Farrelly, Ty Rooney, Anthony Acampora, Christopher Tobin, Derek Novicki, JJ Mazzaro, Shaun Murray, and Post 76 baseball General Manager Charlie Flanagan; and (back) Cole Zalegowski, Dave Christoforo, Ryan Balzano, Ryan Bauman, Anthony Denya, Daniel Meyers, Alex Bauman, and Mason Balmer. Photo courtesy of Andrew Lucey

On Nov. 9, members of the North Haven Post 76 American Legion baseball program put down the bats, picked up some rakes, and enjoyed spending the day by helping some local veterans rake their leaves. The players lent a hand to these veterans as a way to honor their service as part of the Veterans Day Project, which was organized by Paulette DeMaio and Angelo Appi, Jr.

North Haven’s players were joined by First Selectman Michael J. Freda, State Representative Dave Yaccarino, and Charlie Flanagan, the general manager for Post 76 baseball. Flanagan, who will be inducted into the American Legion Hall of Fame in January, was happy with the group of kids who turned out this year for “really stepping up to the plate and helping out.”

The players who pitched in were Anthony Acampora, Mason Balmer, Ryan Balzano, Alex Bauman, Ryan Bauman, Dave Christoforo, Anthony Denya Robert Farrelly, JJ Mazzaro, Daniel Meyers, Shaun Murray, Derek Novicki, Ty Rooney, Christopher Tobin, and Cole Zalegowski.

Christoforo is a senior at North Haven High School whose grandfather and uncle both served in the U.S. military.

“What they have done for all of us is way more than what we can do for them,” said Christoforo of the veterans who have served.

Fellow senior Mason Balmer felt honored to participate in leaf raking for the Veterans Day Project for another year.

“Over the past few years, I have got to meet some amazing people, and I can’t imagine doing what they have done,” Balmer said. “Thank you to not only the veterans, but their families. They also sacrificed a lot for us.”