Latest news with #OperationFirmHandshake
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Operation Firm Handshake honors veterans with annual picnic in Lost Creek
Buckhannon's 83rd Strawberry Festival honors first responders LOST CREEK, (WBOY) — Veterans from across the Mountain State were honored on Saturday as Operation Firm Handshake hosted its annual picnic in downtown Lost Creek. Held at the Lost Creek Community Center, more than 400 attendees participated in the celebration. The annual picnic serves as a meaningful tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. 'We honored Ron McVaney and Robert Throckmorton. They were our Honorary Grand Marshals, they passed last year. And our Grand Marshal was Richard McLain, he's also a member of our organization,' President and Director of Operation Firm Handshake Martin Broderick said. Buckhannon's 83rd Strawberry Festival honors first responders The annual picnic is a cornerstone event for Operation Firm Handshake, an organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting veterans through meaningful outreach and community engagement. It provides both an opportunity for public acknowledgment of veterans' sacrifices, as well as a space for connection, camaraderie, and celebration. 'It started out as a day of recognition, just honoring, feeding, and reuniting veterans, and then we got into, about four years ago, helping veterans, the homeless, combat wounded veterans who haven't been given a claim yet from the VA,' Broderic said. 'We aid in and assist veterans in distress.' On Memorial Day on May 26, Operation Firm Handshake will host the Float on the Fork event serving beverages, and on Saturday, Sept. 27, it will be holding a poker run. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
RG's Almost Heaven Harley Davidson's annual Chili Cook-Off helps Veterans
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — RG's Almost Heaven Harley-Davidson held its annual Chili Cook-Off fundraiser on Saturday, with all proceeds benefiting a local veterans' organization. The entry fee for contestants in the chili cook-off was $10, with all proceeds going to Operation Firm Handshake, a veteran-led organization that assists veterans in distress along with their day of recognition in May to honor, reunite and feed veterans and their families and friends. More than 40 participants entered their chili for judging, while attendees enjoyed live music by The Fridley Boys, along with raffles and prizes. Events and Marketing Director of RG's Almost Heaven Harley Davidson Traci Nicholson was happy to give back to veterans. 'We love to pick the charities, and that the money stays local, that you see who it benefits, why it benefits, and how much it benefits,' Nicholson said. 'So, we love being a part of this community. The motorcycling community in whole no matter what you ride is the biggest charitable organization in the world. So, every weekend they ride for something, and this is not a cheap hobby.' Dark and Dusty Tap House announces 'unanticipated' closure President and Director of Operation Firm Handshake Martin Broderick was grateful for the fundraiser. 'RG Harley, especially Traci has been a blessing to us because this is the first event of the year for us and this is when our funds are the lowest,' Broderick said. 'And so, it allows us to keep our mission alive and help veterans in distress.' All funds raised for Operation Firm Handshake go directly toward supporting veterans. The organization emphasized that their work wouldn't be possible without the dedication of volunteers, making it a true team effort. On Saturday Feb. 15, RG's Almost Heaven Harley-Davidson will host its Ride Into 2025 event, celebrating Valentine's Day at the dealership along with an in-store poker run. Additionally, on March 1, Operation Firm Handshake will hold its Memorial Elimination Dinner in Mount Clare at 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
