ICYMI: Glen Cove Veterans Receive Surprise Check After Fire

GLEN COVE, NY — Each year, Glen Cove resident Eva Casale laces up and hits the pavement to do what many consider to be the impossible: run seven marathons in seven days.

That 184-mile journey is part of "Every Veteran Appreciated Week," an annual challenge in which her team — dubbed Team E.V.A. (stands for Every Veteran Appreciated) — raises money for active military and veterans. This year, Team E.V.A. raised more than $30,000. And now a portion of that is going to a group of veterans whose meeting hall was destroyed in a fire this summer.

On Oct. 7, Team E.V.A. surprised the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347 with a $2,500 donation. It's money that VFW Post Commander Henryk Nowicki says will help cover the costs of repairs, most of which were not covered by insurance.

"I truly feel humbled to be able to support the Glen Cove VFW Post 347 especially during such a trying time," Casale said. "Our veterans have done so much for our country and to see them lose their 'home' and meeting space with this fire is heartbreaking. This donation is a small way to thank our veterans for their service and will hopefully make a difference for them moving forward."

VFW Past County Commander Jack Stein said: "To experience such a hardship two months ago truly put the Glen Cove VFW Post at such a loss as this is the space that has been there for their holiday remembrances, celebrations, picnics and so much more. Eva's donation has helped turned one of their darkest days into light again."

The Oct. 7 donation marks the first of several support checks being issued to veterans' organizations throughout Long Island by Team E.V.A., according to a press release.

Next month, Team E.V.A. will host a one-day running event in honor of North Shore's Fallen Heroes Day on Nov. 11. The 23-mile run will begin at West Harbor Beach in Bayville — taking participants through Oyster Bay, Locust Valley, and Sea Cliff — before ending in Glen Cove. A 5K will also start from the Downtown Café at 4 School St. in Glen Cove.