Veteran’s Assistance Day (formerly known as Nassau County Veterans Stand-down is a county-wide event that is jointly organized by the United Veterans Organization (UVO) of Nassau County and the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency (VSA).
This event is staged in July and November each year. Present at each event are personnel from over two dozen agencies who provide valuable information on the services available to our homeless and needy veterans, as well as new and gently used clothing, haircuts and dental care right on the premises.
In addition to the above provisions for homeless and needy veterans, the July event, held at the Hempstead American Legion Post, located at 160 Marvin Ave., provides a barbecue for the veterans. The November event, occurring two days before Thanksgiving Day, provides a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Volunteers at the UVO, including members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Vietnam War Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Jewish War Veterans, enjoy dining at the New Hyde Park Diner at 160 Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park on a weekly basis. They have gotten to know the owner, Kenny Thoma, who migrated to this country, and said that if it weren’t for the American soldiers, he would not be here today.
Thoma gladly agreed to participate in Dining for a Cause and donated 20 percent of all food purchases at the diner at the event on Saturday, July 29, from 12 to 5 p.m. The total amounted to $360.. However, in a grand spirit of generosity, the New Hyde Park Diner bumped up the donation to $500.00, 100 percent of which will be donated to support Veterans’ Assistance Day.
Hats off to Kenny Thoma of New Hyde Park Diner. What a patriot!
—Submitted by Rosanne and Eric Spinner,
Members of American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion and Vietnam War Veterans Association
