Community member thanks Naples Fire Department’s vaccine efforts with pizza meal

First responders received a little pick-me-up from an anonymous donor thanking them for their vaccination efforts.

A meal donation to City of Naples Fire Department was a small act of kindness that meant a lot to the firefighters on the receiving end.

“We got a call around 1 o’clock from a customer we don’t know,” said Danny Penzo, the general manager of Grappino. “He loves our pizza and he just received a COVID-19 vaccine from the fire department, and he would love to bring 10 of our pizzas and thank them for what they do.”

The generosity of the community member hit Penzo close to home.

“It’s really touching to me because my dad and my uncle, who are deceased, did 60 years in the fire department in New York City,” Penzo said. “It’s wonderful to see people giving back to the first responders.”

The firefighters on the receiving end of the generous donation said they loved the food, and they were touched by the thoughtfulness.

“We really don’t, you know, need that, but it’s so kind of them to think of us and to try to give back a little bit to us for the service we are offering,” said Fire Chief Pete DiMaria.

Naples Fire Department opens up its vaccine clinics on Fridays. The department administered 600 vaccines on Feb. 26.

The fire crews are honored to serve the community in any way they can.

“You know, we’re a full-service fire rescue department,” DiMaria said. “Giving vaccines is not what we would have thought we would be doing a year ago today, but it’s the way to get out of this pandemic … We’re going to continue to do it until we are in a much better place.”