MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – The Annual Vets Summer Fest is an event that is a lot of fun but with a very important cause. There are homeless veterans throughout the nation and New Jersey is no stranger to this issue.
A donation-oriented event, the festival takes place this year on Saturday, Aug. 12 at Vasa Park on Wolfe Road in Budd Lake. The day runs from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is family-friendly with kids activities included.
There is also a motorcycle run, car show, food, vendors, and live music all day long.
Operation Chillout is an all-volunteer outreach dedicated to ending to the crisis of homelessness for veterans, men and women throughout New Jersey and parts of NE Pennsylvania by promoting awareness of the multi-faceted nature of poverty and homelessness and advocating for sustainable solutions and programs serving the needs of the poor, addicted, abused and homeless to improve the quality of their lives leading to permanent change and independent living.
“Support for this event has been amazing over the years,” said Tony DeStefano, one of the organizers and a veteran himself. “People are so giving. Whatever we can do to help our homeless brothers and sisters we want to do. And money talks, let’s face it. The money raised from this event goes a long way in making that happen.”
There is no suggested entrance fee, however, attendees are asked to donate what they can. All proceeds will go to Operation Chillout.
For more information about the festival, visit www.vetssummerfest.org.
