DDI Members Donate Comfort and Warmth to Long Island Veterans

Demonstrating their commitment to community support and honoring those who have served, staff members of Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) recently handcrafted and donated 33 beautiful blankets and quilts to the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. The heartfelt initiative saw DDI team members dedicate numerous hours over the past several months to create these comforting items for local veterans.

In a personal gesture of gratitude, DDI staff members Joyce Sullivan and Tracey Ryan, accompanied by their colleague John Maher, a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, visited the veterans’ home to deliver the handmade gifts. Many of the veterans who received the blankets are elderly and living with disabilities.

“The community’s response to this project was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone eager to contribute and show their appreciation for those who have protected our nation,” said Samantha Calandrino, Coordinator of Community Outreach & Volunteer Services for the Long Island State Veterans Home. “Every donation made in support of our veterans carries a profound impact, serving as a powerful reminder that their service is deeply valued. The generosity of organizations like DDI helps create a lasting difference in the lives of those who have given so much for our country.”

“It was an honor for all who participated to use our talents to create these items for our local veterans. We extend a special, heartfelt thank you to the Long Island State Veterans Home for their unwavering support of our heroes,” said Tracey Ryan of DDI. “To our veterans, we express our deepest gratitude for your service and sacrifice. Your dedication and commitment to our country are truly inspiring.”

This donation underscores DDI’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and its respect for the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans.

For more information about DDI and its events, please visit www.ddiny.org.