Student’s idea spawns mobile collection for vets

April 2016
(Photo Courtesy of WKTV NEWSChannel 2)

(Photo Courtesy of WKTV NEWSChannel 2)

A SUNY Poly student’s idea has turned to reality with the debut of a vehicle that will collect items for organizations that support local veterans.

“These people give so much and they come back and they get so little, so we want to do anything we can to help them,” John Calabrese Jr, a senior at SUNY Poly in Utica told WKTV NEWSChannel 2.

John’s idea inspired his father, owner of Express Employment Professionals in Utica, to purchase an old military vehicle, refurbish it and team with other local businesses to kick off a Veteran’s Supply Initiative.

The vehicle will stationed at local events, creating a mobile collection site for food, items of need, and monetary donations that can be used by local veterans in need. All the items that are collected are then distributed among three local veteran’s organizations: Feed Our Vets, CNY Veteran’s Outreach Center, and the Sitrin Military Rehab Program.

The veteran’s supply vehicle was unveiled at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in March.