TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Veterans and car enthusiasts gathered at the Vail-Wolff McKenna Frye VFW Post 170 for the second annual car show hosted by the Post. The weather was ideal for the more than 60 cars and motorcycles of all ages, makes, and models to shine for the judges.
Organizer and post member Rocco Perrotta came up with the idea a few years ago because he is a car enthusiast and thought it would help raise funds for the various programs that Post 170 offers to support veterans. “The VFW does a tremendous amount of work for our veterans and the community in general which requires money,” said Perrotta. “We raised a lot of money that will be used to support our heroes and help those in need.”
The event was sponsored by several corporate entities and private citizens this year. TEG Federal Credit Union, based in the town, provided prizes and sent several employees to the Post on Saturday to help with the event. Post 170 member and Navy veteran Dave Gunn and his wife Bethann sponsored the event and volunteered their time assisting Perrotta in planning the show and working in a variety of roles on the day of the well-attended event. “This was a great event today,” Mr. Gunn told Mid-Hudson News. “We had a tremendous turnout and the support is really appreciated.”
Air Force veteran Rob Wilson, who fought in the War on Terror, is a member of Post 170, following in the footsteps of his late father. “Post 170 has been an important part of my family for years,” Wilson said. “The members helped my family when my dad died and they have continued to be there for me as a fellow vet.” Wilson volunteered for the show, spending all day Saturday doing whatever was needed. When it came time for the raffles, Wilson saw a return on his raffle ticket purchase. He won a golf bag in one drawing and a gift certificate to an auto parts store in another.
Wilson is also a member of the Shamrock Association, a private social club on Poughkeepsie, and donated his winnings to the club. The Shamrock was founded in 1947 by veterans returning from WW II. The club is currently conducting a weekly fundraiser to raise funds for the MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet program. The event is culminating with a raffle of donated gifts during the week of November 11. “My winnings will be raffled again to raise more money for another organization that helps veterans. At the Shamrock, we help everyone we can – it’s what we do and this time we’re helping Vet2Vet,” said Wilson. Jim Roach is also a Post 170 member and was recently granted membership in the Shamrock. Roche won a gift certificate to Darby’s in Hyde Park in one car-show raffle and a cooler backpack in another. He followed Wilson by donating his winnings to be used in the upcoming Shamrock raffle.
