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Date: 12/21/2017
CHICOPEE – At the Moose Family Center, something was cooking last week – 300 turkey dinners to be precise.
“Christmas Vittles,” an annual tradition started by Army veteran and paratrooper Robert Prince, is underwritten by the Moose.
For the fourth year, Prince and volunteers including fellow paratrooper vet Mark Canty, gathered at the Moose Family Center Kitchen to prepare 300 turkey dinners.
The meals go the homeless vets who live at the shelter maintained by Soldier On in Leeds.
Prince explained that he used to go to the shelter to talk about drug and alcohol issues and wanted to do something for the vets at the holidays. The task was too large for Prince himself and he approached the Moose Family center that “was more than 100 percent receptive.”
Not only did the Moose supply the kitchen and funding, but also about 100 volunteers helped prepare the meal and then transport the finished plates to the shelter. The kitchen at the nearly Veterans Administration hospital are used to warm them up.
Prince noted that many members of the Moose organization are veterans.
Prince said the vets are “extreme appreciative … they always got a big smile on their faces.”