EP Knights of Columbus/Big Blue Bug Remember Vets

Operation ROVAC or "Remember Our Veterans at Christmas" has concluded a bigger than ever Christmas drive to present the residents of the Rhode Island Veteran's Home in Bristol with bags full of Christmas gifts. ROVAC is a giving mission started by East Providence resident and Big Blue Bug Solutions (Pest Control) Technical Director, Tony DeJesus. The charity drive has been going on for some 18 years and has received a big boost recently from the state Knights of Columbus councils. Joining in with DeJesus the last few years is Steven Perry of Council 1528 of East Providence. Perry, like DeJesus is an East Providence High graduate and resident. Perry has become the statewide ROVAC coordinator for the K of C and arranged for several other K of C units in the state to drop off new clothing, toiletries and other gifts for the Veterans. On Saturday December 16th, boxes of goods were dropped off at council 1528 on Pawtucket Avenue in East Providence. Perry and his volunteers then sorted the items and boxed them for delivery to the Big Blue Bug warehouse. From there Tony DeJesus and company wrapped the items and delivered the Christmas packages to the Veteran's home in Bristol, RI.

"Too often, many of our local veterans are left without friends, family, and gifts during the holiday season. For all they do for us, we can’t let our hometown vets go without. Leave it to Tony to come up with an idea to make sure their Christmas is just as special as it should be," said Big Blue Bug management.

“I want to thank all my WPRO listeners, Big Blue Bug Solutions, East Providence Knights Council #1528 and the R.I. Knights of Columbus for all of your generosity. You are all Christmas angels for our veterans” said ROVAC founder, Tony DeJesus. Every Saturday morning at 9am, DeJesus co-hosts the Big Blue Bug radio show on 630 WPRO-AM.

“The project gets bigger every year and it is really heartwarming to present the brave men and women of our Veteran’s Home with these Christmas gifts,” said Steve Perry of the EP Knights Council 1528. Perry and his volunteers spend several months getting ready for the ROVAC program. "Some of the items collected were board games and playing cards, socks, underwear, comfy pajamas and slippers," said Perry. "We also collected sweats, sweaters, gloves, jackets, scarves, other clothing, books and other gift sets," he added.

The Rhode Island Veterans Home is a 110-acre complex on Mount Hope Bay in Bristol with about 208 beds. The home provides quality nursing and residential care to Rhode Island war veterans. Some of the services provided include social, medical, nursing and rehabilitative services.