A Thanksgiving turkey may taste the best when it is delivered from a firetruck right to someone’s doorstep.
That was the case for almost 100 veterans after owners and employees from Livoti’s Old World Market decided to give something back to those who have served the country. They said veterans “deserved a thank you from the average Joe” on the holiday of reflection and appreciation.
In an interview on Nov. 21, Mike Ali, a partner at Livoti’s, said 98 turkey dinners were boxed and hand-delivered to veterans after a Facebook effort spearheaded by Ali and his brother-in-law, John Livoti Jr., led to an outpouring of support from the community.
“We wanted to make sure (the effort) was authentic,” Ali said. “We asked people (on Facebook) to nominate veterans they knew … Individuals emailed us stories about veterans and where they had served. We received 140 responses.”
Ali said he and Livoti came up with the “Vetsgiving” idea several years ago and this year “we said let’s roll with it.”
The effort gained traction as Ali’s ties with Marlboro law enforcement officers led to the voluntary involvement of other emergency services in Monmouth County.
Ali said that on Nov. 16, first responders from the Middletown Fire Department, the Aberdeen Township Fire District, the Morganville Fire Department, the Morganville First Aid Squad, the Marlboro Police Department and the Aberdeen Township Police Department arrived at Livoti’s Aberdeen Township store to pick up and deliver the dinners to almost 100 veterans.
“Everyone wanted to be involved,” Ali said. “We received a ton of support.”
Ali said volunteers and first responders delivered Thanksgiving dinners in the area and to locations in Jersey City and Staten Island, N.Y. What began as a local effort, he said, quickly expanded as individuals who use Facebook continued to nominate veterans from outside of central New Jersey.
“A veteran is a veteran,” Ali said, noting that the volunteers were happy to deliver Thanksgiving dinners to all who would welcome them. He said he had a special experience while making a delivery in Red Bank.
“I delivered a meal to a 25-year-old veteran,” Ali said. “He has been on active duty since he was 18. This year was his first Thanksgiving home … These (veterans) make it possible to have our day.”
Ali said the Livoti’s family will continue their new holiday tradition next year.
“So many people came out of the woodwork and volunteered for next year. We hope next year (the effort) will grow,” he said.
Livoti’s Old World Market has locations in Marlboro, Aberdeen Township and Middletown.
