"the vega family" add's 4 more states to the tee shirt list

On Friday January 12, 2024 Ricky, Inc. made its Annual Winter supplies delivery to Boston Public Healths community organizations AHOPE & PAATHS.

This year's delivery was made in individual boxes for individual distribution instead of filled backpacks. The staff at AHOPE & PAATHS stated that this would be a more efficient use of the materials since not everyone uses the same items. They can now fill individual requests for what the person actually needs!

Our winter supplies included hats, gloves, socks, men's & women's underwear, masks, hand warmers, Mylar Thermal blankets, rain ponchos, Fleece blankets, backpacks, Chapstick, band aids, Bacitracin, deodorant, Men's razors and 5 completed hygiene bags for women.

Pictured above with the Ricky, Inc. van (L-R)

Fernando Velasquez - PAATHS Director

Sarah Mackin - AHOPE

Rich Giacoppo - Ricky, Inc.

AHOPE employee

On Saturday January 27, 2024, the Ricky, Inc. van went mobile again and this time stopped in at a new nonprofit organization called the Boston Backpack Project, located in Stoneham, MA.

This great organization receives supplies and material donations that they pack into backpacks and make weekly trips into Boston to distribute these materials to persons experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder (SUD). Many of these hardworking, dedicated volunteers have also suffered personal loses of loved ones from SUD and want to help others in crisis.

Pictured above (L-R)

Judy Kelly, Adele Carchedi, Elaine Mitrano, Rich Giacoppo, Denise Martwichuck, Concetta Como, Jan Marrocco-Merlino

Rich and Bernadette sorted and boxed numerous hygiene products and winter clothing that Rich delivered to the Boston Backpack Project. We look forward to maintaining a close working relationship with this organization for many years.

The materials that were delivered consisted of men's and women's winter hats, gloves, Fleece scarfs, backpacks, handwarmers, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrush cases, feminine hygiene products, men's and women's underwear, men's and women's socks, Blistex, Bacitracin, Band-Aids, combs and 38 Doses of Naloxone (Narcan - Judy Kelly is trained to distribute).

Thank you to Elaine Mitrano for coordinating this with us.

On Friday July 26, 2024 Ricky, Inc. was invited to host a table on the fan walk-way into the New England Patriots Opening Day of Training Camp. 

Good friend, volunteer and longtime supporter Doug Jasset accompanied Rich and helped to give out dozens of informational pamphlets, doses of Narcan, 100 purple memorial bracelets, gave out tee shirts and collected a few donations along the way.

Thank you to Doug for his friendship and dedication and continuing to help spread the word about our cause.

Pictured above (L-R) is Ricky, Inc.'s 

Volunteer Doug Jasset

"Patriot Paul" with his Rifle.

 Paul Brunelle is a member of the 

New England Patriots’ End Zone Militia  

 Each Militia member is garbed in over a dozen items of clothing when dressed in full costume for a game. All costume pieces must be considered proper 18th century attire. The clothing is all made entirely of linen, wool, leather or steel with no polyester or artificial fabric. Paul's rifle has numerous autographs/carvings on its wooden parts, including Tom Brady's.

and Rich Giacoppo

After practice we were invited to go out onto the field by the Patriots Training Camp Staff and take a few photos. We took a few personal photos and a couple of group photos with the staff.

While at our booth, we were visited by family member and great friend to Ricky, Inc. Dan Famosi. Dan is the "game-day" communications director and is responsible for the headsets and communications for the Patriots Coaches during all games, home & away, including playoffs and Super Bowls. 

Dan is well known as the guy in the "Yellow Hat" on sidelines during games. He has been with the Patriots for over 24 years and has five Super Bowl rings to show for his dedicated hard work.

Thanks to Dan & Carol Famosi for their love and kindness these past few years and continuing to support us.

On Monday July 22, 2024 we visited the Behavioral Health Network in Dorchester, MA. where they provide a mother and child reunification program. 

Ricky, Inc.'s Rich Giacoppo and new volunteer Bill Beatty met with the program director Elizabeth James-Divens and delivered 24 backpacks to the program. 12 of the female BP's were filled with the usual hygiene and clothing products that we regularly supply. The other 12 backpacks were filled with toy's that were individually selected for their children by their mothers and purchased by our Vice President Bernadette Giacoppo. One expectant mother also received a brand new Graco infant car seat.

Thank you to Elizabeth and her staff for their dedication and hard work for families and their constant support of Ricky, Inc.

Pictured above (L-R)

Carlotta Richardson - Clinical Supervisor

Bill Beatty - Ricky, Inc. Volunteer

Elizabeth James Divens - Program Director

Carol Duberry - Recovery Specialist

Rich Giacoppo - Ricky, Inc. President

Geralyn Skinner - Medication Specialist

Rachida Allouch - Counselor

On Wednesday July 24, 2024 Rich visited the Veterans Administration in Jamacia Plain, MA. where he met with Mary Peak from the Volunteer Services Division.

Mary has been a staple of support for Ricky, Inc. throughout these past 4+ years and has always accepted our backpack donations with enthusiasm and appreciation. Today was our fourth visit making Backpack donations to the valuable programs that Mary and many others provide to our deserving veterans at this Boston location. 

The VA Boston operates a methadone clinic for homeless veterans with substance use disorder (SUD) and a Men's and Women's Residential substance treatment program. Both of these programs have, and will continue to receive backpacks from Ricky, Inc. filled with hygiene products, seasonal clothing and a Veterans Specific Resource Manual. Each backpack also contained 2 doses of the life-saving nasal spray naloxone (Narcan).

Above, Mary Peak receives the backpacks from Rich in front of the Ricky, Inc. van and presented him with a thoughtful Thank You letter from Matthew Edwards, the Chief of Voluntary Services.

Thank you to Mary for her support and we look forward to meeting her many more times to assist our veterans and show our appreciation to them.

"God Bless our Veterans"

On Thursday August 1, 2024 we made our annual summer backpack and supplies distribution to ACCESS - Drug User Health Program located in Central Square Cambridge.

We presented them with 35 backpacks and all the necessary supplies needed to fill them. Instead of filling the backpacks, we provided enough materials for their clients to make their own backpacks filled with all of the items that they choose.

 We individually boxed up the backpacks, men's & women's socks, hairbrushes, men's & women's underwear, comb's, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, antibacterial wipes, Band-Aids, Chap Stick, pen's and all of our hygiene products like deodorant, shave cream, razors, shampoo, conditioner, Tampax, toothbrushes and toothpaste.  

Pictured above (L-R)

Ben Adams, Homar Murillo, Brian Sink, Toma`s Kresina, 

Rich Giacoppo, Brielle Carelli & Jessica Alpert.

Photo taken by Jackie Tejada

While visiting with the staff at ACCESS, the Program Director Brian Sink gave us this beautiful thank you card that was filled with loving and kind words for us.

We cannot fully express our sincere appreciation for the incredible work that the staff at ACCESS does on a daily basis. Receiving such kind and thoughtful expressions from the staff is truly heartwarming and satisfying.

"From the bottom of our broken hearts,

Thank you for the life-saving work that you do"

Rich & Bernadette

On Thursday August 1, 2024 we visited Youth On Fire located in Harvard Square Cambridge. We were greeted by Assistant Program Director Katherine Sloss-Hartman and her staff. We also met Joshua who works for the Home For Little Wanderers whose organization supports and operates Youth On Fire.

We delivered 35 backpacks and the dozens of supplies needed to fill them. We individually boxed up the backpacks, men's & women's socks, hairbrushes, men's & women's underwear, comb's, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, antibacterial wipes, Band-Aids, Chap Stick, and all of our hygiene products like deodorant, shave cream, razors, shampoo, conditioner, Tampax, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Youth On Fire is part of the Cambridge Cares About Aids program. Now a program of 

“The Home For Little Wanderers”

Youth On Fire is located at 1 Church Street, Cambridge

Check us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/YouthOnFireMA

DROP-IN HOURS

Monday: 11:00 AM to 8 PM

Tuesday: 1:00 PM to 6 PM

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 11:00 AM to 6 PM

During our visit, we also provided Youth On Fire with 2 cases of Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. Each case contains 24 

4 mg doses of this life-saving nasal spray that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose.

Rich and Katherine posed for a quick photo in front of the dozens of individually boxed items that Ricky, Inc. provided.

"Thank you to Katherine and her staff for the great work that they do helping teens and young adults through their struggles with life's crises through this valuable program".

On Saturday August 31, 2024, Bernadette & Rich of Ricky, Inc. joined The Boston Backpack Project on International Overdose Awareness Day. Along with several other nonprofit organizations, we set up on Southampton Street in Boston and gave out Narcan, blankets, water bottles, hygiene products and many other necessities, including a few backpacks.

Thank you to all of the volunteers of the Boston Backpack Project for all the fantastic work that you do! 

Boston Backpack Project 

"Ricky, Inc. is doing incredible work and making such a difference in the lives of so many…." 

Elaine Mitrano

Your efforts make a difference, so glad you're part of the community!

Judy Kelly

Gilly's House, Inc.

Beautiful work! If we keep helping those that are sick and suffering, people do start to heal. It's such a process but there is always hope for these somebody's someone’s.  

“Thank you, Ricky, Inc. for doing God's work in memory of your beautiful boys”

Maureen Cappuccino

  I would like to send my utmost thanks to Ricky Inc. They paid for a full month of my rent at my sober house through their scholarship program. I have been struggling financially and have had my hours at work reduced. Along with that I have just had a misfortune string of events that have really taken a toll on me both mentally and financially. I have battled through this and maintained my sobriety. Relapse is not an option. 

“When I was approved for my rent to be covered it was like the world lifted off my shoulders”. I have the time now to save up and get back on track. You don't know how much this really meant to me. I am beyond grateful and will keep on trucking! 

“It is an organization like Ricky Inc. that really makes a difference for someone in my position. Words can’t express my gratitude, but I really mean it when I say thank you”.

Jared Gonzalez

I applied for a scholarship at Ricky, Inc. to help me get into a sober house. I did not have the funds to get in and was so worried loosing this bed. I did not want to end up on the streets. I have worked so hard on getting and remaining sober. The streets are a scary place. I did not want to fall back into my old ways. 

“Ricky, Inc. provided me with a month's rent to be able to move into my sober house. This scholarship saved my life. I am now in a structured sober house and don't have to worry about the temptation and negativity I would find on the streets”. 

I can continue working on my sobriety and focus on getting a job. Ricky, Inc.’s scholarship of my months’ rent is greatly appreciated.  I will do my best to make the most of it. I can't be thankful enough. 

“Good things do happen when you try hard and do the right thing”. 

Thank you, Ricky Inc., 

Nathaniel Gendron

Hey Rich,

"Thanks for being the difference in these two guys lives". 

Much appreciation,

Derek Sampson