NH: Liquor Commission Supports Campaign to Build Homes for Injured Vets
State org partnered with Fabrizia Spirits, Southern Wine & Spirits to raise $11K for Homes for Our Troops.
Concord Patch
By Tony Schinella (Patch Staff)
August 6, 2015
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) partnered with Fabrizia Spirits and Southern Wine & Spirits for the fifth consecutive year to raise a record $10,761 for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds adaptive homes for veterans with life-altering injuries, according to a press statement.
The donation was made on Aug. 3, 2015, at the Hampton I-95 Northbound New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet in Hampton, and the money will be earmarked for a future disabled New Hampshire veteran. This donation – nearly double the amount raised last year – brings the five-year total to more than $30,000 raised for Homes for Our Troops.
“Our servicemen and women make incredible sacrifices to keep our country safe. Unfortunately, too many of these brave soldiers return from battle with serious injuries,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph W. Mollica. “The NH Liquor Commission is honored to partner with Fabrizia Spirits and Southern Wine & Spirits in raising money that will greatly improve the lives of New Hampshire veterans in need of assistance. This donation wouldn’t be possible without the support of our NH Liquor & Wine Outlet sales associates and customers who rallied around this worthy cause.”
In the last two-and-a-half years, NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers to raise $440,000 for nonprofit organizations making an impact in New Hampshire. In addition to Homes for our Troops, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, MooreMart, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Toys for Tots, New Hampshire Food Bank, Granite United Way and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire have all benefitted from NHLC’s support.
Throughout the month of May, Salem-based Fabrizia Spirits donated $5 to Homes for Our Troops for every 750 mL bottle of Fabrizia Limoncello or Fabrizia Blood Orange sold at any NH Liquor & Wine Outlet. A donation of $2.50 was made for every 375 mL bottle of Limoncello sold. NH Liquor & Wine Outlet managers and employees assisted by creating prominent displays to promote product sales and by informing customers about the fundraiser.
“At Fabrizia, it has always been important to give back to the community. We couldn’t start and operate our business without acknowledging the sacrifices others were making so we could pursue our dream of starting a limoncello company. For this reason, Homes for Our Troops is a cause that is particularly meaningful to me,” said Phil Mastroianni, who founded Fabrizia Spirits six years ago. “We appreciate the support of the NH Liquor Commission and Southern Wine & Spirits, and we are excited that this money will benefit a deserving veteran in our home state of New Hampshire.”
Nearly 25 percent of the $10,761 was raised by the I-95 Northbound NH Liquor & Wine Outlet. Mastroianni said he is grateful to the store’s Spirits Manager Michelle Morabito for her tireless work to promote this fundraiser and raise money to support Homes for Our Troops. He estimates that Morabito’s efforts are responsible for about $10,000 of the $30,000 raised in the last five years.
“Coming from my home country of Ireland, I was struck by the hard work and dedication of American military members and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis,” Morabito said. “This is a cause that’s important to me, and I’m happy to do anything I can to support injured veterans to make their lives better.”
Since 2004, Homes for Our Troops, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has worked to build adaptive homes—at no cost to the veteran—for the more than 1,700 veterans who returned home from combat with life-altering injuries after 9/11. According to Homes for Our Troops, these veterans are among the most severely injured, often suffering with missing limbs, paralysis and traumatic brain injuries. On average, these adaptive homes cost $430,000.
Last year’s fundraiser supported a home built in Hopkinton for Army Staff Sergeant Matthew DeWitt, who was injured in July 2003 in Khalidiyah, Iraq, during an attack. As a result of his injuries, DeWitt lost both arms at the elbow, and required skin grafts to his face, legs and arms. For more information on Homes for Troops and SSG DeWitt, visit hfotusa.org/dewitt.
“The stories of recovery and transformation of each veteran that Homes for Our Troops services with a specially adapted home is nothing short of miraculous,” said Timothy P. McHale, president & CEO of Homes for Our Troops. “There is no end to what these heroes can do when they are set up with the stability of a safe, barrier free and mortgage-free home. We are thankful to have the commitment from generous supporters such as Fabrizia Spirits to allow us to help our veterans and advance our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives.”