RICKY,Inc

On Wednesday September 9, 2026 I went to the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. to visit with the staff of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club.

I received a personal behind the scenes tour of the facility by Drew Micheli and then met with Michael Myers, Chief Operations Officer and Griffin King, Community Relations Coordinator.

After our brief meeting we went outside to pose in front of the Ricky, Inc. van with a ceremonial check for a $1,000.00 donation and the office dog "Kelly Pup", named after the ECHL Championship trophy the Kelly Cup.

This is the second time that we have been involved with the Worcester Railers as they hosted a charitable hockey game on Nov. 1, 2025 and proceeds from tickets sold through the Power Play Hockey League were donated to Ricky, Inc.

Ricky, Inc. will enjoy another charitable hockey game hosted by the Worcester Railers Hockey Club on Saturday February 6, 2027

Pictured (L-R)

Griffin King, Rich Giacoppo, Drew Micheli Michael Myers & Kelly Pup

   Drew Micheli, Youth Hockey Specialist, chose Ricky Inc. as his charity of choice for the Worcester Railers Month of Giving.

Drew graciously stated, I'm grateful to once again have the opportunity to give back to our community, thanks to the Worcester Railers HC Foundation.
 

This year for our Month of Giving, I donated $1,000 to Ricky, Inc., a nonprofit supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorder through resources, essential supplies, Narcan, and direct support.
 

Thank you to Rich Giacoppo and his incredible organization for the work they continue to do for those in need. I’m incredibly thankful to work for an organization that puts such a strong emphasis on giving back to the community we call home.

In addition to his $1,000 donation, Drew will be assisting in our next backpack drive during our Winter Backpack Distribution, where he will be packing backpacks filled with essential personal needs items and clothing for people suffering from homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use disorder.

On Friday September 4, 2026, I headed North to Portland Maine and visited with the staff of Milestone Recovery.

I met with Amy Chaney and the Milestone staff and donated numerous filled backpacks, boxes of Bombas socks, flip flops, tee shirts, men's & women's underwear and art supplies for the Nicholas Giacoppo Memorial Bureau.

Nick was our Maine Street Outreach Coordinator and worked closely with Milestone Recovery and their mobile street outreach team. He was very excited to be involved in providing backpacks and other services in memory of his brother Ricky. Nicholas would go out with the team or on his own, no matter what the weather was like, and find people in need to give the backpacks and winter clothing to.

Donated on September 27, 2024, we delivered this bureau filled with art supplies, tee shirts, underwear and socks for all of the Milestone clients.

We also donated a few of Nicholas' framed drawings, which still are on display today.

The bureau is located in the client's community room where they spend time reading, drawing and writing with the supplies from this bureau. Nicholas would be very happy to know that Milestone is continuing his dedication and work in his memory, and we hope to continue this relationship for as long as we exist as a nonprofit.

On Thursday August 27, 2026 Bernadette and I participated in The Sun Will Rise Lantern Walk and Glowstick Remembrance at Pond Meadow Park in Braintree, MA.

One week before we attended an event at the Braintree Town Hall where we made personalized plastic lanterns with our son's, Ricky & Nick's, names on them.

Both events were hosted by The Sun Will Rise and Robyn Houston-Bean.

An important role for people grieving the loss of a loved one is to support and receive support from other people and organizations.

Ricky, Inc. and the Boston Backpack Project were on hand to support Robyn and her outstanding organization The Sun Will Rise

Pictured with Bernadette are 3 members of the Boston Backpack Project, Judy Kelly and Founder Elaine Mitrano

Ricky, Inc. and The Sun Will Rise have bonded a relationship that will last a lifetime. We will be attending The Sun Will Rise benefit "Together in the Light" on Saturday Oct. 3, 2026

Bernadette Giacoppo & Robyn Houston-Bean

Shout out to Ricky,Inc.

They are a nonprofit organization that helps addicts struggling. They have a backpack program where they provide all of the basic essentials we as addicts may not have. They also provide rides to detox whenever needed. 

"I can’t even begin to say how much I appreciate all of their support. They helped me get back on my feet and back into society. If you are struggling and need help, they are the people to talk to. 

Thank you so much for everything you guys have done to support me"

Michael, Riley, Rory & Carl

Sept. 5, 2026

On Monday August 17, 2026, Ricky, Inc. visited PAATHS & AHOPE on Albany Street in Boston. I was accompanied by loyal Team Ricky Volunteer and Norwood resident Doug Jasset.

We delivered numerous backpacks and supplies for both programs and were met by PAATHS Program Director Thomas Dorney (above with Rich).

Both programs are operated by the Boston Public Health Commission and provide valuable services

 Access, Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Education (AHOPE) is a harm reduction and needle exchange site.

  PAATHS (Providing Access to Addictions Treatment, Hope and Support) is a one-stop shop for anyone (individuals, families, community partners, other treatment providers) looking for information about, or access to, substance use treatment services. 

Our first stop of the day was at the Andrew House Detox in Jamaica Plain.

Ricky went here many times in his recovery efforts, and it has a special place in our hearts, especially since they named a room in the facility in his honor. 

Doug and I were greeted by Program Director Rebecca Goldman and her friendly staff.

We delivered many backpacks for the clients along with boxes filled with tee shirts, flip flops and men's & women's underwear.

Rebecca has been incredible to us and has maintained the Ricky Memorial Reading Room and keeps reminding clients that it is in memory of Ricky.

Another nice feature of delivering these backpacks and supplies to Andrew House is that I get to meet and speak with the clients.

Above I am shown speaking to the group about Ricky, Inc., our journey and our Mission. Every time I speak before these men and women, I conduct a question-and-answer session, and at the end they line up to shake my hand and thank me for everything that we do.

I always leave feeling that I made a difference in someone's life today. It is a very gratifying feeling. 

While Doug and I were restocking the Ricky Memorial Reading Room with new pillows, books and Art supplies, we took time to pose for a photo right under Ricky's picture with Program Director Rebecca Goldman

Twice a year we find out what supplies need to be restocked in the reading room and we purchase them so all of the clients can enjoy their quite time in Ricky's room.

Pictured are the new pillows that we got for the couch that we delivered last year.

On Wednesday August 19th, we continued our Summer 2026 Backpack Distribution and visited the U.S. Veterans Affairs Administration in Jamaica Plain, MA.

I met with Damien Powell who is a Voluntary Services Specialist TCF, who accepted the backpacks and numerous boxed supplies for our deserving veterans.

We stopped by the Veterans Services Walkin Methadone clinic and informed the Nurse that we had backpacks for them. She was happy to receive them and stated that the next time we make a delivery, that we could meet with the clients and personally deliver them to each man and woman.

On Thursday August 13, 2026, Ricky, Inc. visited my hometown of Cambridge and my old stomping grounds of Harvard Square

We continued our Summer 2026 Backpack Distribution at Youth On Fire where we delivered numerous filled backpacks, Narcan, boxes filled with socks, tee shirts and men's & women's flip flops and underwear.

We are happy to say that Youth On Fire has been a longtime affiliate of Ricky, Inc. and will continue to receive backpacks, materials and supplies from us.

Youth On Fire is operated under The Home For Little Wanderers and largely funded by the Dept. of Public Health and the City of Cambridge.

For more information about Youth On Fire  Call (617) 661-2508

 Youth on Fire - The Home for Little Wanderers 

Youth On Fire is a daytime great drop-in center located right in the heart of Harvard Square.

YOF provides a non-judgmental environment for homeless and street-involved youth between the ages of 14-24. They offer basic necessities like hot meals, showers, clothing, laundry facilities, medical care, mental health counseling and many community resources. They have an incredible prevention information program on HIV, STDs, Hepatitis and other diseases associated with high-risk behavior.

YOFs ultimate goal is to help as many youth as possible to have a healthy lifestyle, remain HIV-negative and seek greater stability through permanent housing and employment or school.

Our 2nd stop of the day was in Central Square at ACCESS Drug User Health Systems.

Program Manager Brian Sink and his staff have been nothing short of fantastic with their work within the community and developing a strong working relationship with Ricky, Inc.

The ACCESS facility is a clean, comfortable and welcoming environment that offers numerous services for individuals who actively use drugs. They have a doctor on staff to provide short term medical help and treatment and they maintain a mobile street outreach that extends to the BU Bridge, Cambridge's Davis, Porter and Harvard Squares, Jamaica Plain and Roxbury,

Pictured (L-R) 

Kate Schwenn, Brian Sink, me, Clare Foley, Nasi Salem, Amelia McCarthy, Jessica Alpert, Niki Patel & Brooke Trister

To see the great services that ACCESS provides 

 Access - Fenway Health 

We love receiving Thank You notes and letters from both our recipients and our affiliate organizations.

Above, clients from ACCESS show their appreciation for Ricky, Inc.

Knowing that your work is appreciated is a nice thing, but hearing & seeing the words that make an impact in someone's life makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

God bless and good luck to all of you.

From the bottom of our broken hearts,

Thank you,

Rich & Bernadette

  On Tuesday August 11, 2026 Ricky, Inc. Ricky, Inc. started our Summer 2026 Backpack Distribution program (our program start was delayed by family matters, all is well). 

At the completion of our Summer 2026 Backpack program, we expect that our total number of backpacks donated by Ricky, Inc. will exceed 4,000

Above is the Ricky, Inc. van packed and ready for delivery.

Our first stop was at The Behavioral Health Network for Women with the Program Director Ilene Carrera and her staff.

Behavioral Health Network (BHN) operates the BHN Family Center and Roses House. 

This facility provides specialized residential and stabilization services focused on substance use recovery and family-centered support for women. 

Designed for pregnant and parenting women, offering trauma-informed care and support while keeping families together.

You can contact BHN general services at (413) 301-9355

Ilene and her assistant were more than happy to pose with me for a few quick photos with the new flowered canvas bags for the mothers and the backpacks & toys for the children.

We also supplied B.H.N with an additional 50 pairs of XS Bombas socks for the children. 

While there a mother came into the room and I noticed that the child’s feet were bare, so I asked the mother if she wanted a pair of socks for the child. I gave her a pair of Bambas and she put them on the child which produced a giant smile and laughter from both mother and child. 

Some of the smallest gestures can be very rewarding, this one was fun for me.

Bernadette got the name and age of each of the children and personally made sure that each child received individual, age-appropriate toys such as games, Lego’s, stuffed animals, books, toothbrush, toothpaste, nylon backpacks, blankets, etc. 

One young boy was ecstatic to receive a Minecraft backpack for school.

The mothers of BHN were nice enough to pose for a picture to send to us because they wanted us to see who was receiving our gifts.

Ilene blacked out their faces in order to protect their identities so that they would feel safe taking the picture and that BHN could comply with security policies.

We completely understand and are grateful that we can share this on our website.

All of the women and children were very happy and really appreciated our donations to their program.

Please see their beautiful and heartfelt "Thank You" note in the next section

 This is a Thank you note from our friends at Behavioral Health Network which I visited on Tuesday August 11, 2026

Hello Bernadette good evening! 

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. The women were in tears when they received their gifts. They were so very grateful. (2 of the women did not want to take a pic). Dominick and Olivia were jumping up and down because they did not have a backpack for school. 

Every woman wanted to make sure that I told you how appreciative they are.

I haven't seen some of them smile in a while. They truly felt loved today. 

Thank you for all that you do!! You and your husband are AMAZING!!!!

**Funny story, one of the women today was telling me that she needs a coffee cup. When she opened the bag and seen her coffee mug, she was in shock! We both couldn't believe it!!!

Thank you again for your thoughtful gifts for each one of them..... ESPECIALLY the babies in the womb.

You gave them their first gift

Ilene Carrera

Program Director

617-275-8862 (o)    413-523-3425 (c)

Behavioral Health Network, Inc

Family Center

On Thursday April 9, 2026 Ricky, Inc. hosted a Comedy Show Fundraiser to benefit Ricky, Inc. and its mission to continue helping others.

This show was made possible by the generosity and kindness of the owner of The Norwood Theatre, Susan Lewis.

The three comedians performing were Jimmy Tingle, Steve Sweeney and Lenny Clarke.

Jimmy Tingle, Chris Giacoppo & Chrissie Winslow seen here during the "Meet & Greet" portion of the event, where tickets holders were able to mingle with the comedians, take photographs and get autographs.

Tingle Productions handled all of the event's activities and made it a real family affair with his wife Cathy and his brother Gary working the ticket sales and front door of the theatre. Laurie McDermott gave Cathy some much needed valuable assistance at the check-in desk. 

"A special heartfelt thanks to everyone at Tingle Productions for making our fundraising event a huge success"

Gilly's House in Wrentham is proud to partner with Ricky, Inc. and we strongly respect and support each other's organization. Barbara Gillmeister and Maureen Cappuccino are always happy to support our efforts.

 "Gilly’s House is a sober house for men, located in Wrentham Massachusetts, which can accommodate 21 residents. It is a MASH certified and non-profit sober house for men who have completed an addiction treatment program and are looking for a structured and supportive place to live to continue their commitment to recovery. It is staffed with a full time house director and supplemented by assistant house managers 24 hours a day. There is a zero tolerance policy toward drug and alcohol use. If you are serious about your commitment to long term recovery, Gilly’s House is the place for you." 

Lincoln RI Police Captain (ret.) Kyle Wingate and his wife Kristen travelled from Lincoln Rhode Island to support their friend Rich Giacoppo and his organization.

Kyle and Rich became friends while they were attending the University of Rhode Island Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, RI. State Crime Lab, Criminal Investigation and Scientific Evidence training classes 

The Wingate's took time away from their family and spent the evening enjoying the laughter created by the comedic performers. They had the pleasure of a private backstage meeting with them.

Picture L-R, Lenny Clarke, Kyle Wingate, Kristen Wingate and Steve Sweeney.

Tingle Productions had this logo and QR Scan Code displayed on the theatre movie screen at the end of the show.  They were encouraging people to donate for a great cause and gave them an easy way of donating.

If you employ Tingle Productions for your fundraiser event, be ready because they think of every fine detail. Nothing is too small or insignificant... 

"That's why they're the best"

During the Meet & Greet, good friends and neighbors Butch & Diane McGee get ready to take a photo with Jimmy Tingle and Steve Sweeney.

Butch is well known as being a regular caller on WEEI Sports Radio's Whiner Line and actually had quite a following.