Port Jefferson Station, NY – On Saturday, July 18th, 2026, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay hosted her second annual Veterans’ Resource Fair alongside Long Island Cares at Concern for Independent Living in Port Jefferson Station. The resource fair was open to the public and featured over three dozen nonprofits, governmental agencies, and local veterans organizations, who provided resources and support to veterans and their families. The event featured activities for families and children with a petting zoo and pony rides. One of the event’s highlights was the presence of Long Island Cares’ Farm Truck which distributed fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other food available to attendees.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay shared, “Seeing so many veterans, military families, and community partners come together at this past weekend’s Veterans Resource Fair was truly inspiring. Thanks to the outstanding partnership between my staff, Long Island Cares, Concern for Independent Living, and the dozens of nonprofits and organizations that joined us, more than 150 veterans and their loved ones were able to access essential services, enjoy fresh produce from Long Island Cares’ mobile Farm Truck, and learn about resources for health care, mental health support, housing, employment, benefits, and community engagement. It is an honor to give back to those who have given so much in service to our country, and we are already looking forward to making our third annual Veterans Resource Fair even more vibrant, impactful, and successful. Meanwhile, we encourage veterans and their loved ones to reach out to us any time we can be of service to connect them with resources or otherwise be of assistance.”

Long Island Cares Veteran Outreach Coordinator Justin Berbig stated, “Saturday was a great day. It was amazing working with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, her team and the team from Concern. I’d like to thank all our community partners who came out. And a special thanks to Operation Vest for sponsoring the petting zoo!”

Concern Housing Program Supervisor Michael Sciulara shared, "In conjunction with Long Island Cares and Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, we were able to host 40 different vendors, 3 food trucks and a petting zoo. We served over 150 veterans as well as our Liberty Station community. This year was an absolute success, and we got it all done before the skies opened! People were fed and connected to all different types of services. This event has begun to grow to become something all vendors and patrons look forward to.We here at Concern Housing are proud to host and provide a setting where people can have an enjoyable day and meet those who have dedicated themselves to helping others. We look forward to helping for years to come."

Samantha Calandrino, CTRS, LMSW, Coordinator of Community Outreach & Volunteer Services for Long Island State Veterans Home stated, "Community outreach events like this Veterans Resource Fair are essential to ensuring veterans and their families are aware of the care, benefits, and support services available to them. By bringing resources directly into the community, we can help connect veterans with services they may not otherwise know about and ensure they receive the support they have earned by serving our Nation. The Long Island State Veterans Home, whose mission is to provide exceptional skilled nursing and adult day health care services to veterans and their families, is proud to partner with outstanding organizations and community leaders who share our commitment to serving those who have served our nation."

Legal Services of Long Island said, “[they were] proud to participate in Saturday's Veterans Fair, and we thank Assemblywoman Kassay for recognizing the important role Veterans play in our community and providing LSLI and other Agencies the opportunity to connect with veterans from across Long Island."

John Melillo of SURVIVING PTSD Through ART! shared, “We all have our VIETNAM’s …… be a death in family, accident, illness, bad relationship, something that stays with us that affects our lives. It’s something you don’t heal from, you have to learn how to live with! Our theory has been, do something that has self-worth for yourself and in doing so you might find solace! Painting is my Life Saver! We like to share the art John creates at these resource fairs and inspire others. We invite Veterans to future art events. We have to come get inspired.”

Jim Brennan of Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency said, “Our veterans served our country, and now it is our turn to serve them.Events such as this resource fair provide a tangible expression of thanks to those that served and provides the necessary resources to help those that are experiencing difficulties or are in need of guidance.More importantly, events like these bring awareness to the general public and improve the quality and quantity of resources needed to help our veterans when they need it most.”

Organizations who offered resources at Saturday’s fair included: America's VetDogs; American Legion Irving Hart Post 1766; American Legion John R. Cacioppo Post 1848; American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432; Calverton National Cemetery; Clear Captions; Community Development Long Island; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk Diabetes/Nutrition Programs; Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk County; JustINSPIRE Mentoring Studios; Legal Services of Long Island; Long Island State Veterans Home; National Grid; New York State Citizens Preparedness Corps; Northwell Health; New York Medicare Market; New York State Department of Civil Service; New York State Department of Public Services; Paws of War; Phoenix House New York; PSEG; Services for the Underserved, Inc.; Stony Brook Cancer Center

Community Outreach and Engagement Office; Suffolk County Department of Health Services; Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency; Sun River Health; Surviving PTSD through Art; THRIVE; United Veterans Beacon House, Inc.; Urban League of Long Island; Veterans Affairs Medical Center Outreach; Veterans Defense Program; VFW Post 4927; Dwyer Project; Advocate Health Advisors; Cooking for Long Island Veterans; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk Clean Energy; Island Harvest; Long Island Cares, Inc. | The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Veterans and their families are invited to reach out to Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094 for more information about these or any other programs or concerns.