Thursday
Morning, Smithtown officials were asked to assist in handing out over 600 hero
sandwiches at Panico’s Market in Nesconset. The annual Heros for Our
Heroes initiative is led by Donato Panico and his team each year as a way of
saying Thank You to the people who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.
This year, Panico’s Market prepared over 600 three foot long heros to
distribute to Police and Fire Departments serving Nassau County, Suffolk
County, Queens, and New York City. Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Councilman Tom
Lohmann, Superintendent of Highways Robert Murphy and Town Clerk Vincent Puleo
devoted their mornings to assisting Panico’s Market in this
effort.
“I was
humbled when Donato asked us to help him, as I hold a very personal and dear
place in my heart for all those first responders who worked tirelessly at
Ground Zero to help families like mine have some closure. I applaud the
tireless devotion of his team that goes into this operation every year. It’s my
honor to help Heros 4 Our Heroes today and I look forward to doing it again in
November and December with my daughters.” - Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo
This
year’s operation begins months prior, planning and coordinating with PBA
representatives and various volunteer fire departments across Suffolk and
Nassau Counties, Queens, and New York City. The Heros 4 Our Heroes team of
volunteers devoted the week prior to ordering produce and spent three days and
nights without sleep, building and packaging more than 600 three foot long heros.
Cases of Iced Tea were loaded up to go with each order.
“Witnessing
all of the Police Department officials pull up and load over fifty giant heros
in their pickups… I can personally relate to the appreciation and gratitude on
their faces. It’s great medicine for the soul. As a former NYPD Detective and
as one of the thousands who spent months at Ground Zero, I can not thank Donato
and his amazing team of Volunteers enough for devoting their time to caring for
our law enforcement and first responders. I’m honored to be here” - Councilman
Tom Lohmann
About
Heros 4 Our Heroes:
The Heros
4 Our Heroes non profit organization began when Donato Panico, owner of Panico’s Community Market decided he had to do something in the wake of the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. On Sept. 12, 2001, Donato loaded up a food truck and drove to Ground Zero, where he proceeded to give out meals to search and rescue workers. He cooked from the mobile catering truck for ten days at the World Trade Center site. Today, he continues to show his appreciation for those first responders and those that have served our country through his annual Heros 4 Our Heroes initiative, and the annual Thanksgiving and Holiday Turkey drive, which is held at the Northport VA.