The Ravenna Veterans of Foreign Affairs Post 1055 has always prided itself on supporting the Portage County community. They demonstrated their support when they hosted a special ceremony, distributing checks of $1,000 each to 16 different Portage County fire departments last Wednesday evening at the Ravenna VFW Post.
“It just reinforces that we are here for the community and involved to support the community and the organizations within it,” VFW Post Commander Missy Moore said.
According to Moore, the Ravenna VFW Post had more money to donate this year thanks to a big attendance for Bingo Nights and participation in the electronic games that are available at the VFW Bar.
Having frequently supported Portage County public services in the past, the VFW decided to spread the wealth this year by making sure every Portage County fire department received a significant donation that would assist them in purchasing equipment, comfort items and other things that regular funding does not allow.
The Ravenna VFW had 19 checks worth $1,000 to distribute to each Portage County fire department and 16 of them sent representatives to receive the check.
Former Post Commander and current senior Vice Commander Andrew Casciato opened the ceremony with a few brief remarks about the impact the Ravenna VFW had in Portage County.
“The VFW serves the citizens of Portage County in many ways, some of our primary concerns are feeding those who are in need by contributing to food banks here in Portage County,” he said.
Casciato noted that the VFW also supports the Ravenna backpack program, a program that assists schools in providing breakfast, lunch and dinner to children in the community that would otherwise go hungry. He added that the Ravenna VFW Post was home to the Young Marines, an organization that provids Christmas presents to children in need.
“Many of us in the VFW have faced harm’s way and we recognize the men and women in our community that dare to go where angels fear and dread,” he said in his closing remarks. “We understand the courage and desire of the dedication that is possessed by each one of you here. As you serve your fellow men, we wish to serve you.”
Commander Moore then offered a few opening remarks before presenting a check to each one of the representatives.
“The reason why we chose the fire department is that you do so much for the community and at the VFW, we are about being involved in our community with folks within our community and supporting it.”
Checks were presented to the following fire departments: Atwater Firefighters, Brimfield Firefighters Union Local 4031, Deerfield Township Fire Department. Edinburgh Firefighters Association, Garrettsville Freedom Nelsonville Firefighters Association, Kent Firefighters Union Local 721, Mantua Shalersville Fire Department, Paris Township Fire Department, Randolph Volunteer Fire Company, Ravenna Firefighters Local 1430, Ravenna Township Firefighters Association, Rootstown Fire Company, Streetsboro Firefighters Association, Suffield Firefighters Association, and Windham Firefighters Association.
Although three fire departments did not send a representative to claim a check, those checks will be forwarded in the mail.
Commander Moore then offered some closing remarks to the representatives of the Portage County fire departments.
“From the veterans that go off and fight to keep this area safe to the heroes here who keep the home front safe, thank you very much for your service,” she said.
According to Garrettsville Freedom Nelsonville Firefighters Association Lieutenant Mason Friess, the check went a long way.
“We really appreciate the donation,” he said. “This is going to go into our association account. The association account pays for our banquets when we get together as a department and get our wives together and we put a dinner on for each other and it helps build camaraderie for everybody.”
Casciato said the Ravenna VFW hoped that it could continue making significant donations to other public service departments in Portage County.
“We have helped the Sheriff’s department several times, he said. “We have gifted food to their K-9s and medical care and things of that nature. One of our biggest issues is to provide food to those who are not fortunate enough to be able to put enough food on their table so through the center of hope and some of the other organizations, we will always continue to put the human side of that first.”
