TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Several members of the New York State Police, including two K9 troopers, joined more than 100 volunteers in helping at the annual John Flowers Community Events Thanksgiving Meal distribution event on Sunday. More than 1,000 boxes with everything needed for a Thanksgiving meal were packed and picked up or delivered to anyone who needed one.
Troopers from Troop K, headquartered in Dutchess County, and from Troop F, headquartered in Orange County, helped pack the boxes with turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, and other staples and prepared to leave the MAG Auto Sales distribution point on Sunday morning to head to pre-mapped areas of the county, from Tivoli to Pawling and Beacon to Millerton, to deliver the boxed meals in time for Thanksgiving.
Trooper Juan Olarte, the recruiting officer for Troop K, was immersed in the annual event for the first time this year, having recently been assigned to his new post after serving in Troop T, which covers the Thruway from below Tarrytown to Buffalo and beyond on I-87.
Troop K Commander, Major Kathryne Rohde, stated, “The State Police is thankful to be a part of giving back to the community.”
The meal donations were made possible by several corporate sponsors including MAG Auto which purchased most of the turkeys, Emiliano’s Pizza in Poughkeepsie which provided a truckload of stuffing, and TJ’s Pizza in Poughkeepsie, which donated dozens of pizzas to keep the volunteers fed on Sunday.
Humberto Rodriguez Maya of Super Latina Radio was at the event, providing music and entertainment for everyone in line.
