Adam DeCiccio, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who is regional manager of Veterans Inc., had difficulty holding back the tears of joy during an unusual distribution of 200 turkeys and $2,500 in Stop & Shop and Walmart gift cards last week at Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 on Plainfield Pike.

“We had one veteran tell us this is a godsend, just in the nick of time,” DeCiccio said of the effort to help ensure veterans in need would enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. “We are all proud of this ambitious but rewarding two-day program.”

For the second time in as many years, the Giovanni Folcarelli DAV Chapter 1, Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 and VFW Department of Rhode Island, in conjunction with Veterans Inc., helped make Thanksgiving happy for needy veterans and their families by giving out the 200 turkeys and $25 gift cards.

“Adam DeCiccio was instrumental in acquiring the 200 frozen turkeys,” said Raymond Denisewich, who serves as adjutant-treasurer of DAV Chapter 1 and service officer for the VFW Department of Rhode Island. “This turned out to be a fantastic success thanks to a number of super caring people.”

For starters, DAV Chapter 1 Commander John “Jack” Hill, on behalf of the entire Folcarelli veterans nonprofit, donated $2,000 to purchase $25 gift cards from Stop & Shop and Walmart that went to each needy veteran and his or her family.

Likewise, Hill and many Chapter 1 members helped with the turkey distribution, while Kelly-Gazzerro Post Commander Ron DiMaio announced Post 2812 was giving $500 to purchase additional $25 gift cards.

Thus, for two days DeCiccio, Denisewich, Phillip Sheridan and Charles “Chuck” Palumbo – along with Post 2812 bartenders Ron Ricci, Joe Splendorio and Jackie Brodeur, as well as Mike Miele, who is principal broker/owner of New England Realty Group – took part in the unique distribution.

Even Spirito’s Restaurant owners Greg and David Spirito had a hand in the two-day success story by providing much-needed space in their cooler to keep the turkeys frozen.

Ricci, who is Post 2812’s Building Association president, offered: “Hats off to the Spirito brothers; they helped us have a professional operation for this special distributions. This is what Thanksgiving is all about.”

Hill said DAV Chapter 1 “has a long history and tradition of supporting our veterans and their families, and these turkeys and gift cards are an expression of what our group does. And we’ll continue to support our veterans during the Christmas season.”

When asked about Veterans Inc., Denisewich explained: “This is a great nonprofit veterans’ support organization with the mission of helping veterans find housing and employment in all six New England states.”