Spreading Good Holiday Vibes
Spreading Good Holiday Vibes
Keep paying it forward.
Nick and Kendra Pitillo were instantly moved by the letter.
Handwritten by Gary Zanardi, it encompasses the holiday spirit we all should embrace. Zanardi, the commander of the Youngstown, NY VFW, received a gift card from his children last Christmas to be redeemed at the Pitillos’ restaurant, Villaggio.
Unable to travel due to health concerns, Zanardi wrote the Pitillos a letter asking them to pay it forward — as he was unable to use it, he asked that they donate it to a local military or veteran family. The Pitillos, whose Stock The Freezer initiative epitomizes giving back to the community, sprang into action.
“We were so moved by this gesture that we decided to keep it going,” Nick said. “We decided to deliver 150 meals to Buffalo’s VA to serve the veterans there and frontline workers there. We’re doing it in Gary’s honor.”
Quick to deflect any credit, Nick wanted to ensure we showcased the true generosity of Zanardi’s gesture. Gary and his wife were so thrilled with what the Pitillos did, they sent them a thank you video.
“It’s just a really cool story in a not so cool time,” Pitillo said. “We can take this man’s incredible generosity, this gesture, and keep paying it forward.”
The Pitillos also made sure to deliver Stock The Freezer meals to Zanardi’s home as a thank you for what he did.
“More people need to do what this guy is doing,” Nick said. “It’s awesome.”
