RICKY,Inc

We want to thank all those that answered our call for donations for our winter backpack distribution. 

These pictures show most of what we received but there were more hats, gloves, mylar blankets, and regular blankets donated.

Most of the donations had no name inside the box of the donor. We love to send a personal note to all those that donate. We want all those that donated that did not receive a thank you note it is because there was no name in the box. Please know how very grateful we are to you for your generosity and kindness. All of these items are being packed up in backpacks and as we deliver them, we will post the pictures. This is a very difficult time of year for us but your generosity and kindness are truly a testament to the good in the world. We know how Ricky and Nicholas would love the thought of people doing what they can to help us keeping this all going. We will post pictures as the deliveries are made so all can see where your donations are going. Thank you to all of you. If you would like to leave your name or message us, we would love to hear from you...if not, again thank you from all of us at Ricky Inc.

Love, 

Rich, Ricky, Christopher, Nicholas and Bernadette Giacoppo

We want to thank Deborah C. for her very generous donation to Ricky, Inc. Please know this gift will go directly to purchasing the much-needed winter gear for the unhoused and allowing us to continue to provide free rides to Detox Programs for those people looking to start their recovery journey. 

Over the weekend we spent three days working with a gentleman in a very, difficult situation helping/supporting him to get into a Detox. As it ended up the Detox he went to provided transportation. But this is an example of the importance of providing rides free to any detox in MA. 

That is the part of our program that means the most - being at the other end of the phone being present, kind, and supportive. 

"Thank you, Deb, for your kindness and continued generosity". 

Rich and Bernadette

Ricky Inc.

The State of Massachusetts Opioid Settlement - each town and City receives funds from the Opioid settlement to be used in the fight against the opioid crisis and those affected by it. The town of Norwood has been generous with Ricky, Inc. with using some of the funds they received from the Opioid settlement. Norwood Health Department asked for a list of items we needed. Thank you to Stacey Lane and Jennifer Bartucca from Norwood Health Department for organizing this and placing the orders for us to then pick up. We are so very grateful to the town of Norwood. Please know these funds do not take away from other programs in Norwood as they are only to be used for opioid related needs/programs

We as previously said, we have lost our State funding due to Federal cuts funding and are doing everything we can to fulfill the needs of our winter backpack program and our Uber free ride to Detox throughout Massachusetts. We also continue to provide Narcan.

No one at Ricky, Inc. has ever received any monetary compensation and we use our garage to avoid any storage costs so all money can go directly to those that need our support. 

Most of you know what we have suffered over the last six years and to be honest it has been a real struggle to keep going. Particularly for me my husband Rich works so hard. There are days I can't function due to the trauma we have experienced but we know Ricky would be so proud of us helping those in need and Nicholas and his brother Christopher were so very proud starting their own program in Portland, Maine serving the unhoused, those in active addiction, those in recovery, and those facing mental health issues.

Below is the first pick up and there was a second pick up from what we received from Norwood's Opioid settlement funds. Our number of those in need has doubled and we could do so much more. But the expense is exuberant.

As our Nicholas would say... "one person at a time...I helped that one"

Thank you again to Stacey and Jennifer for all you did for Ricky Inc.

Love, 

Rich and Bernadette Giacoppo of Ricky Inc.

These are thank-you notes from Andrew House Detox and the Marisol Clinical Stabilization Service.

We appreciate our strong and lasting relationship with Andrew House and Bay Cove Services and always enjoy receiving the thoughtful personalized thank you notes and inspirational cards.

The above is an individual thank you from a client at Andrew House and kindly recognizes all 3 of our beautiful boys "Chris, Ricky & Nick".

The above is a note from a gentleman we provided an Uber ride to Detox. We love the thank you notes they mean so much. But it's not what the work is about. Whether or not we are thanked, all of the work matters from all the nonprofits that are doing their part. Ricky Inc.. "Respecting Individuals with Care and Kindness You matter" that is what we stand for. That is what Ricky and Nicholas stood for. 

"I want my kindness to be so strong its contagious" by Nicholas. Giacoppo, our precious, loving son. Ricky was one of the most loyal people we have ever known.

A kind thank you from the mothers and team at Behavioral Health Network.

A sincere thank you from the Program Director

A thoughtful thank you note from the ACCESS team.

This is a wonderful organization that continually helps people in crisis. We are honored to partner with ACCESS and its outstanding staff led by Program Director and close friend Brian Sink   

On Monday December 15th we visited Andrew House Detox Program and Marisol Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) program for men and women. We provided backpacks, tee shirts, Narcan, and under garments for the men and women in both programs. Sixty-five backpacks were distributed. 

We always stop in the Ricky Memorial Reading Room whenever we visit and were pleased to see that the room gets used every day and is appreciated and enjoyed by all of the clients.

Pictured is some of the staff of the Detox in the "Ricky Quiet/Reading Room. Andrew House was the first organization we visited when Ricky, Inc. "Respecting Individuals with Care and Kindness You matter" when we were what we call a Grass Roots program. 

The reading room named in Ricky's name was done by then Director Maritza Castillo and Kayla. It was beautifully done for the men to go and relax quietly to read or draw. We were so grateful and honored by their kind gesture. Since Maritza moved on after many years at Andrew House the room was flooded, and we replaced all the furniture. A room that is used as much has some expected wear and tear - so we will give it some love to make it more relaxing that is our hope.

It means so much to us when someone gifts us with something they had made for us. This drawing was done by a client for Rich while he was visiting Andrew House and represents "Strength & Love".

Thank you, Carlos

We want to thank now director Rebecca Goldman for allowing us to do this. We want to thank all staff in the Detox and CSS for their dedication and allowing our close to seven-year relationship. Once we finish, we will post photos of the "Ricky Reading Room". Ricky would be so appreciative as he was a lifelong reader. He never went for the kindle, he loved the feeling of the book, the written word on the pages and the fact he could then pass the book on to someone that may enjoy it as much as he did. 

Again, thank you to Rebecca Goldman and the entire staff at Andrew House for allowing us to talk to the men and women and letting them know that they matter,

On Monday December 15th we visited the Behavioral Health Network. A program for mothers in recovery that have been reunified with their children. We ask for a list of what the children would like in terms of a toy, books, art supplies. 

Thank you again to Ilene Carrera and BHN for letting us visit with the moms and children. We don't take photos of children and mothers to respect their privacy.

Each child received a stuffed animal and a book plus the toy they chose among other things in a toy basket. The mothers receive a typical backpack with a few special gifts for the mothers. 

We have been visiting the program for five years now and the staff is a pleasurable, hard-working group committed to their mission.

Thank you again to Ilene and BHN for letting us visit with the moms and children. 

We don't take photos of children and mothers to respect their privacy.

Ricky, Inc. would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your dedication and kindness in helping us pack our winter backpacks. Your kindness makes it possible for us to support those living unhoused, some with mental health conditions and the disease of substance use disorder. 

On November 25, 2025, our friends and Team Ricky Members Sue Kuphal, Lisa, and Michael Fitzgibbon filled hundreds of hygiene packs for our Winter 2025 Distribution. This makes filling the backpacks so much easier and faster. Filling these hygiene kits is vital to the success of the backpack program due to the necessity of these products.

On December 13th & 14th we had good friends and Team Ricky Members Bill Beatty and Doug Jasset working hard to fill a couple of hundred backpacks. This is the 2nd time this year that Bill and Doug have worked so very hard building backpacks for our programs.

Preparing for our Winter Distribution our team members filled over 350 backpacks.

  On December 29thwe had our friends and “new” Team Ricky Members starting from left Eoin O'Corcora, Yassmine Mouard, Chloe O’Corcora and Rich working endlessly filling men’s and women's backpacks to support our Winter 2025 Distribution.

Ricky, Inc. is a small nonprofit that we feel makes a difference to many people facing very difficult times by distributing these winter backpacks filled with winter items to face the winter elements when needed. 

Thank you all for your support and loving hearts,

Rich and Bernadette, Ricky Inc.

On the ice at the DCU Center in Worcester, Christopher Giacoppo's son Charlie was chosen to perform the ceremonial puck drop prior to the start of the game. 

Charlie does a great job on the face-off between Chris Curran of the White team and a center from the Purple team. Both teams were wearing Ricky, Inc. hockey jerseys and we are thankful to all of the men who participated in this event.

This charitable hockey game was made possible through the kindness and thoughtfulness of Chris Curran, formerly of Norwood.

Chris plays in the Power Play Hockey League for the South Shore Draft League team and was instrumental in getting Ricky, Inc. chosen as the events benefactor.

The Purple team, Bridgewater Draft League on the offensive attack.

Both teams played extremely well and scored many goals during this very competitive game.

Charlie and his Dad, Chris enjoyed the day with a visit to the team benches to meet the players.

A member of the Purple team gets a great pass from a teammate and breaks in alone on the White goalie.

The goalie made a fantastic save to rob the shooter from scoring another goal.

With less than 3-minutes left in the game, the score was tied 5-5, until the White team score a late goal, forcing the Purple team to pull its goalie and leave its net open for a very late game open net goal.

The White team (South Shore) won this game by a score of 7-5.

After showing great sportsmanship and shaking hands, both teams posed for a group team picture.

"A very special thanks to Chris Curran and Drew Micheli of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club"

Drew Micheli made sure that we each received keep-sake hockey pucks memorializing the game.

Charlie got to keep the puck he used for the ceremonial puck drop face-off. 

Chris Curran also made sure that we received complimentary hockey game jerseys that not only showed the Ricky, Inc. logo but also the logos of the South Shore and Bridgewater Draft League teams.

(White for my son Chris and Purple for me - Rich).

Team Ricky member, consummate volunteer and long-time supporter Doug Jasset happily displays his Ricky, Inc. tee shirt during a beautiful Florida sunset.

The Jasset family enjoyed their vacation on the water with evening sunsets on the incredible Longboat Key, a 12-mile-long barrier island with fantastic beaches.

Ricky, Inc.'s Board of Directors and 5-year Secretary Lisa Fitzgibbon shows off her tee shirt during her trip to Nashville to watch the Patriots play the Titans

Lisa and her husband Michael, also a Team Ricky volunteer, stop in at the original Grand Ole Opry located downtown at the Ryman Theatre

The Fitzgibbon's were gracious enough to stop in at my favorite candy store and bring me home a few of the world-famous Goo Goo Cluster chocolates

Travis Lampron was kind enough to take his Ricky, Inc. tee shirt on his long journey across the world to Peru.

Travis climbed this Mountain to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan citadel located high in the Andres Mountains of Peru.

Travis takes a break from the steady climb to enjoy the beauty of this incredible mountainside waterfall

Once at the top of Machu Picchu, he enjoyed his view of the "Lost City of the Incas", which has been designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Travis informed us that while he was atop of this mountain, he said a prayer of remembrance for Ricky and wanted us to know that we are always in his and his family's thoughts and prayers.

Special thanks goes out to Julie Lampron who has been supporting and donating to Ricky, Inc. since its inception, for making this possible with Travis.

Julie wrote to us "your love reaches all heights near and far, with Love Julie".

On August 12, 2025 we visited the Veterans Affairs administration in Jamaica Plain and made a backpack and materials donation for our valued military veterans.

We later received this incredible thank you and testimonial from Matthew Edwards, the Chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement.

This is a beautiful thank you note from the Veterans Affairs in Jamaica Plain for our recent donations. We are very grateful to support these three programs housed in Veterans Administration located in the JP location. We hope the 600 socks are distributed to all that need them. Thank you to all our Veterans for their service.

We can never say thank you enough to our incredible and heroic US veterans for their service to our country.

Saying "weathering the storm is easy"

"Actually, doing it takes courage"

Be strong, be courageous, put your head down and take whatever comes your way........ Then succeed!

We received this thank you note from the clients at the Andrew House after our visit.

Their heartfelt comments mean the world to us and we will keep them close to our hearts as we too navigate this difficult world that we have now found ourselves immersed in forever.

"Thank YOU for your kindness and we commit to continue our efforts to support you as long as we are able".

Nicholas' loving family gathers on Saturday July 26, 2025 at his memorial bench on the Western Prom in Portland Maine to celebrate and remember him for the incredible, loving and kind person that he was.

Dad, Mom, Chris and Roxy

"Nothing but love here"

Many friends attended this day of remembrance for their friend Nick.

Pictured with Rich is Justin Reid who has been a longtime friend and supporter of Nicholas and is currently the Director of the Portland Recovery Community Center.

Justin drove over an hour from Northern Maine on his day off, just to be there for his friend.

Lots of Nick's closest friends from Massachusetts attended this memorial event including, Matthew Sherman, Michael McNamme, Dan Anderson and pictured above with their family is Willie & Maura Wall.

The Wall family was well represented as Cathy Wall & sister Val Lynch also made the trek from Mass to Maine for this special event.

It was truly a family affair as Aunt's Cathy & Margaret Giacoppo were present with Uncle's Michael & Steven.

They showed their love and affection for Nicholas and have fond memories of his incredible loving presence.

On Friday July 25th, Nicholas' dad and brother Chris took some time to sit on his Memorial Bench to reflect on his life and the kind, wonderful person that he always has been.

He is missed far more than he will ever know.

Giacoppo family patriarch, Matthew Michael Giacoppo (PA), sits on Nicholas' memorial bench and remembers the many times when he and Nick would cook together and how Nick showed so much promise as a versatile chef.

PA is usually a very talkative person but, on this day, he spent his time mostly in quiet reflection and thoughts of his loving grandson.

PA has many fond memories and prays for Nick every day. He always says how much his misses both Ricky & Nick.

Cousins Teri Stirk and Sharon Proia made the journey from Massachusetts on this day and brought longtime friend Betty-Lou.

All three women sacrificed their Saturday and committed to being there for Nick and their cousin Bernadette.

Also in attendance was Michael Fitzgibbon who still made the trip even though he was experiencing some family medical situations. He thought enough of Nick and us to travel by himself to be there for us. Thank you!

They all have been generous donors to Ricky, Inc. and are always there when Bernadette or I need them.

Although family pet Roxy has successfully photo-bombed nearly every photo, Nicholas' family proudly admires the view of the ocean from his wonderful bench location.

Margaret, Christopher, Steven, Cathy and Nichole Giacoppo

Christopher sits in silence as he remembers his brothers and reflects on their lives together.

Everyone's heart has been broken beyond repair and Christopher's love for Ricky and Nicholas will always be with him.

We pray that his 7-week old daughter Ruby will help to mend his badly broken heart.

On Sunday August 17, 2025 Rich Giacoppo and Ricky, Inc. hosted a resource table at the Gilly's House Summerfest 2025 where they distributed 20 doses of life-saving Narcan, as well as numerous other resource materials.

Bernadette Giacoppo and Chloe Jones (Christopher Giacoppo's fiancé) man the resource table with a precious newcomer, Ruby Giacoppo (7-weeks old).

 We attended "Gilly's House, Inc. Summer Fest" on Sunday. Gilly's House hosted many organizations supporting overdose prevention and awareness. 

We distributed 20 doses of Narcan and distributed prevention booklets for families and adolescents. Many families attended to all free activities for children and food. 

Chris Giacoppo and his son Charlie have fun in the bubble pit as Papa Giacoppo looks on.

Gilly's Summerfest had many fun activities for kids and the "bubble pit" was tops among the kids' favorites. 

Thank you to Barbara Gillmeister and Maureen Cappuccino for inviting us. Our son Christopher and his family enjoyed the day 

Charlie can't get enough of the bubble machine and loves every minute of it.

With all of the wonderful activities for the kids, the bubble pit was by far the "hit of the day" for the children.

On Monday August 18, 2025 I visited BHN (Behavioral Health Network, Inc.) Family Center and met with Ilene Carrera, Assistant Program Director, Hyde Park, and her staff. Currently there are six mothers and eight children. They are able to accept up to 12 mothers. My wife purchased tote bags filling them with what typically goes in a backpack. She got the age of each child and purchased an educational toy for each child. We have been visiting BHN for at least five years now. They have moved from their Dorchester location and are now in Hyde Park. I didn't meet with the families due to HIPPA. In the future with more time before visiting we will most likely get to visit with them. We would like to thank Illene for all her help in coordinating this visit with my wife, Bernadette. 

We also donated 75 pairs of children's socks. BHN Dorchester Family Center is a residential substance use treatment program for pregnant and parenting women with children in their care up to age 18. The program provides women-centered, trauma-informed care and evidence-based substance use treatment services, with the goal of successful family reunification and long-term family stabilization. This is a closed referral program and all referrals go through IHR.

ELIGIBILITY

This is a closed referral program, managed by Institute for Health & Recovery (IHR).

Female, Nonbinary, 18+

HOURS

24/7

PHONE

617-275-8862

All of the BHN women and their children received packages from Ricky, Inc. 

The 6 women received personalized gift bags designed by Bernadette Giacoppo and the 8 children also received personalized age-appropriate gifts also donated by Bernadette.

  On Tuesday August 12, 2025 I visited the Veteran's Affairs Administration in Jamaica Plain. I met with Damien Powell, Voluntary Services Specialist and volunteer Peter Schaffer, who assisted me in unloading all of our donation materials from the Ricky, Inc. van.

As part of our Summer 2025 Backpack & Supplies Donation Program, we donated 64 Backpacks to go to the Substance Abuse Residential Unit, the Women's Trust House, and the in-house Methadone Clinic. 

Each backpack contained a fully packed hygiene kit, 2-pairs of socks, rain poncho, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, cleansing wipes, 2-doses of Narcan, and much more. 

The US Department of Veteran Affairs is located at 150 South Huntington Ave in Jamaica Plain, MA.

It is easily accessible and offers many services to our deserving men and women who have served their country.

“We as a family thank our Veterans for their service to our country with the upmost respect”

   Pictured (L-R) are Peter Schaffer and Damien Powell accepting the Ricky, Inc. backpack donation.

We also donated 80 pairs of men's underwear, 50 women' underwear, 36 tee shirts, 77 flip Flops, and 600 pairs of Bombas socks to be distributed to all of their programs. 

Best of luck to Damien in his new role in charge of Volunteer Services for the branch and to Peter who was starting his first day of work with Volunteer Services.