Brooklynites came together at the Bean Post Pub on Saturday, May 14 to have a good time for a good cause at the third Hero’s Benefit.
The event – held bi-annually in Bay Ridge since 2012 – was started by Bensonhurst native and Ridge resident Gabrielle Puglia as a chance to bring people together while also raising funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).
Puglia told this paper that she was inspired to give back to the foundation after an August, 2011 Chinook military helicopter crash killed 38 people — 25 American special operations personnel, five United States Army National Guard and Army Reserve crewmen, seven Afghan commandos, and one Afghan interpreter — and one U.S. military working dog.
“I just wanted to do something,” explained Puglia. “I did my research and I just fell in love with this organization. I call [SOWF] and, every time, I talk to a person, and they are so helpful.”
Among other things, Puglia said, SOWF helps children of fallen soldiers get the financial aid they need to afford tuition.
“They do a lot of great things for families,” she said, noting that, this year – between day-of and online donations – she and her team raised over $9,000 for the organization.
“This year was really, really good,” Puglia said. “It’s always nice to see the community come together and support a cause, and it’s nice to see it be one that I’m very passionate about.”