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12/07/2022 08:00 AM

Thank You to All


To honor military veterans, as well as to support the Guilford Meals on Wheels program, Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV) hosted the 21st Annual Patriotic Dinner on Veterans Day. Over 150 guests gathered at the Guilford Community Center for the event after a two-year break.

Thank you to all who supported us in this effort to celebrate our veterans. Community kitchen chef Larry Santamaria and his staff prepared a lasagna dinner to seated guests and to many others who opted for a carry-out meal. Guilford American Legion Post 48 Commander, Hersh Hernandez, led the Presentation of Colors and introduced State Senator Christine Cohen, Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey, CT State Representative-elect Moira Rader and CT State Representative and CT Comptroller-elect Sean Scanlon, who saluted the service of the numerous attending veterans. Reverend Dr. Ginger Brasher-Cunningham, lead minister at the First Congregational Church, offered the dinner blessing. Town leaders and volunteers from the First Congregational Church Pilgrim Fellowship served the dinner and John Saville was the entertainment host.

Complimentary meals were offered to veterans through the generous support of the Ethan Miller Song Foundation and APK Charities. Guilford Parks and Recreation and its director, Rick Maynard, assisted throughout the event. Event attendees purchased raffle tickets to win prizes donated by generous merchants. Thank you to Ballou’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, Page Hardware, Village Greene Gardens, Flowers on the Green, Forte’s Gourmet Market, Frank’s Package Store, Ella -- Where She Shops, Strawberry Hollow Farm, Naples Pizza, The Village Chocolatier, Flutterby, BSK Designs, Breakwater Books and The Spice and Tea Exchange. Thank you to Nick’s Place and Salon H in Madison and Hidden Kitchen in North Branford who also kindly donated prizes.

We are grateful to all who helped GIV salute our veterans.

Lisa Peterson, Vice President

Guilford Interfaith Volunteers