{"id":36694,"date":"2025-11-12T01:58:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T01:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/36694\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T01:58:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T01:58:16","slug":"handwritten-notes-and-warm-meals-staten-island-applebees-shows-veterans-theyre-loved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/36694\/","title":{"rendered":"Handwritten notes and warm meals: Staten Island Applebee\u2019s shows veterans they\u2019re loved"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 For the 18th year, Applebee\u2019s restaurants nationwide are feeding veterans on Veterans Day \u2014 but on Staten Island, the tradition comes with a heartfelt twist that\u2019s become a borough-wide custom.<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sArmy veterans Anthony Savarese and Carmine Fava share thanks with servers at South Shore Applebee\u2019s during a Veterans Day lunch.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Krista Barreca, general manager of the Applebee\u2019s at 2720 Veterans Road West, spearheads a card-writing campaign now in its third year. What began as a small gesture has grown into an effort that gathers roughly 500 handwritten notes annually from community members to honor local veterans. The cards \u2014 collected through Facebook outreach \u2014 come from churches, Scout troops and organizations across the borough.<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sCards are hung in every corner of the South Shore Applebee’s.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up here, so I reached out on Facebook \u2014 and the response was overwhelming,\u201d Barreca said. \u201cPeople really wanted to do something personal for our veterans. It\u2019s not just a meal, it\u2019s a message that says, \u2018We see you, we appreciate you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sSome notes came with candy and, in one instance, a box of raisins.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The restaurant displays the cards on its walls for a week before Veterans Day, then gives them to veterans who come in for their complimentary meals.<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sImages were colored carefully between the lines. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, a blind veteran had his card read aloud by Girl Scouts,\u201d Barreca recalled. \u201cHe was moved to tears. It was one of those moments that reminds you why we do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sAll the notes were made with care. Some were hung around the restaurant while others were given by the staff to veterans who were touched by the messages. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Some cards contain heartfelt messages, while others include small gifts\u2014candy or in one instance a box of raisins. <\/p>\n

\u201cOne little girl wrote, \u2018Thank you for being brave so I can play outside,\u2019\u201d Barreca said. \u201cIt\u2019s simple, but it means everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sFlags, hearts plus Stars and Stripes adorned greetings. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Barreca believes the tradition teaches younger generations about gratitude and patriotism. \u201cEveryone sends text messages; no one does \u2018snail mail\u2019 anymore,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is like really writing a letter with proper penmanship. It slows you down and makes you think about what you\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sJoe \u201cPreach\u201d Meizlik, head of the South Shore Food Pantry and a veteran himself, says he\u2019s grateful for Krista Barreca\u2019s generosity \u2014 whether through the card-writing campaign or the restaurant\u2019s ongoing donations.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The restaurant serves about 500 veterans at this location alone on Veterans Day. Popular menu choices include steak, burgers, and Fiesta Lime Chicken. Even younger staff members request to work the event, despite it falling on a Tuesday when they typically wouldn\u2019t be scheduled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey want to be part of it,\u201d Barreca said. \u201cThey say, \u2018I want to shake hands and say thank you.\u2019 That\u2019s powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sKrista Barrecca has been with Applebee’s since 2005 at the Mall location where she started as a server. As a general manager, she enjoys the sense of community her South Shore Applebee’s brings, especially on holidays like Veteran’s Day. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)A tradition that grew<\/p>\n

This tradition has continued under new ownership. Two years ago, Doherty Enterprises acquired Apple-Metro\u2019s 21 restaurants, including Staten Island\u2019s four locations. The New Jersey-based company operates more than 140 restaurants across New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida, including Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Shannon Rose Irish Pub, Spuntino Wine Bar and Sola Salon Studios.<\/p>\n

Barreca, who has been with the company since 2005, began her career at the Staten Island Mall Applebee\u2019s \u2014 the first Applebee\u2019s in the New York area. She knew previous owners Zane Tankel and Roy Raeburn, who introduced the brand to Staten Island in October 1994 with that inaugural location. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen this company grow, and I\u2019ve seen the community grow with it,\u201d she said. \u201cThe spirit of giving has always been there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sThis corner of the restaurant includes flags on each card. Barrecca and her staff enjoy decorating the restaurant to the delight of patriotic customers. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Beyond Veterans Day<\/p>\n

Applebee\u2019s community outreach extends beyond Veterans Day. Local organizations that have benefited include Kids Against Cancer, American Cancer Society, Eden II, The Grace Foundation, Where To Turn, Have A Heart Foundation, the YMCA of Greater New York, the St. George Theatre, Staten Island Children\u2019s Museum, animal rescue groups and youth athletic programs.<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sHundreds of cards are strung around the restaurant. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Applebee\u2019s Breakfast with Santa has been a 25-year tradition in the borough, supporting children\u2019s programs. The restaurant also stepped up after Hurricane Sandy. \u201cWhen Sandy hit, we didn\u2019t think twice,\u201d Barreca said. \u201cWe cooked, we delivered, we did whatever we could.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doherty Enterprises continues this commitment through its \u201cDoherty Difference\u201d program, which states: \u201cWe don\u2019t just want to donate food and be on our way \u2014 we want to be out in our communities talking with you, our neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sApplebee’s serves a free meal to veterans each year and keeps the generosity going through the December holidays. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)A Moment of Reflection<\/p>\n

On this brisk November afternoon, the South Shore Applebee\u2019s was filled with gratitude. Army veterans Anthony Savarese and Carmine Fava met while working a civilian job. As they left the restaurant, they thanked the young servers at the host station, who replied, \u201cThank you for your service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly touched, Fava struggled to find words. Separately, a fellow patron and Vietnam veteran summed it up best: \u201cI don\u2019t want to get emotional. But when we came home, they hated us. Now, I can truly appreciate the love.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Applebee'sApplebee’s wants friends and supporters of its Staten Island locations and beyond to thank a vet. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

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