March 29, 2024

OPERATION ROVAC: Remembering Our Veterans!

Knights of Columbus

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Knights of Columbus - Remembering Our Veterans at Christmas

The East Providence Knights of Columbus Council #1528 led a state wide Knight of Columbus effort, which included the ladies Columbiettes #3623 and the Knights State Officers, to provide the residents of the RI Veteran’s Home in Bristol with clothing, toiletries and other vital necessities for Christmas.

ROVAC stands for Remember Our Veterans at Christmas. Operation ROVAC is a giving-mission that was started by Big Blue Bug's Tony DeJesus. DeJesus ia an East Providence High graduate and EP resident. "He has been a longtime employee of Big Blue Bug Solutions, and his mission to give back to the community’s veterans is inspiring and generous," said company management.

"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."

Joining the Big Blue Bug Solutions is the Knights of Columbus. During ROVAC Saturday, December 17, 2016, E.P. Council #1528 collected a truckload of clothing and other needed gifts for Christmas distribution to the men and women at the R.I. Veterans Home in Bristol, R.I. “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. “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 Knights Council #1528 State ROVAC Coordinator. Perry and his members spent weeks organizing and eventually getting the gifts delivered to the Veteran's Home in Bristol.

"Remember, it doesn’t take much to change someone’s life and make their holidays bright. Thanks to our generous community we have been able to make this amazing charity drive a success for 17 years now, and it is that support that will allow continued support for local vets for many more years to come," said a Big Blue Bug statement.

Some of the items collected were board games and playing cards, socks, underwear, comfy pajamas and slippers. Also sweats, sweaters, gloves, jackets, scarves, clothing, books and other gift sets.

Pictured in the group photo are Steve Perry of East Providence Council #1528 (Knights State ROVAC Coordinator), State Deputy Michael Benson, State Officers David Quinn and Michael Dziok, Columbiettes Supreme Territorial Deputy Linda Grimshaw, and members of East Providence Council #1528 and Columbiettes #3623. Also shown is Tony DeJesus.

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