All the fixings, including dessert—750 meals in all—were given out Saturday at the Suffolk Police Department’s 7th Precinct in Shirley during an annual Thanksgiving event made possible by generous donations and dozens of volunteers chipping in.
“It's a way we give back and stay in touch with the community,” said Officer Jim Anson. “It’s always a great turnout with many volunteers and generous donations,” he said of the annual giveaway, now in its fifth year. “The theme is Community Unity.”
“We have an amazing amount of volunteers and sponsors. The support from the community is overwhelming,” said Officer Frank Raspanti.
The officers said they couldn’t have done it without generous donations from Stop and Shop of Rocky Point, Suffolk Credit Union, Sign Design, McDonald’s, Daggett Management, Hummus Mediterranean Grill, SJ Home Design, Azure Realty, Prime Auto Collision, Entenmann’s, Macedonio & Duncan, No Limit Auto Body, Miller & Caggiano, Handy Pantry, Shirley Feed, Clare Rose, Suris & Associates, Performance Food Service, 5th Precinct Cops Who Care, Hampton Coffee, Leisure Village, Conexcion Latina, Chick-Fil-A, Fidelis Care, and East End Screen Printing.
Members of Harbor Church in Center Moriches were there to bestow a blessing on the community. “We offer a prayer of peace for all of the families,” said Theresa Caponi, who was there in memory of her mother, who passed away on Thanksgiving last year.