Gabe Cinquegrana has been a volunteer with the Sons of American Legion at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center for over 10 years.  He is a volunteer escort, coordinates the Birthday program, is involved with the Homeless Program, completes “Buddy Checks” and coordinates Walk-A-Thons.  It is apparent that Gabe is volunteer of all trades!

Gabe is a skilled musician and involved with all facets of music. He worked to provide outside venues to the VA Music Therapy programs group, The Defenders, to perform in public, and orchestrated a Summer Concert Series.  He also performed live with his musical duo, The Elderly Brothers for the CLC residents and the Bath VA, even providing live feeds of their public venues during the pandemic. After securing a donation of 10 Apple iPads from the Sons of the American Legion, Gabe created two virtual “Name that Tune” shows from home and had an interactive broadcast with the Veterans on the CLCs using Zoom and Apple Facetime.

Mr. Cinquegrana coordinated with the Homeless Program to participate in the monthly PIT search, visitation, and relocation of homeless Veterans in the county. He also worked with VA Social Workers to coordinate with the local phone company to make payment and reinstall phone service for two homeless Veterans seeking employment.

Gabe organized a Walk-A-Thon at the local and state levels with the Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion Riders, raising $27,000 that was equally donated to all 18 VAMCs and the State Veteran Homes in New York State.

During the pandemic, Mr. Cinquegrana was the only volunteer who remained at the VA, supporting the Voluntary Service Office. He helped to develop an alternative plan for the annual Volunteer Banquet, coordinated the distribution of snacks and meals for front-line and ancillary staff. He also developed and created a Seasons Greetings and Thank You video for Volunteers and Community Partners, which has been published on the National VA YouTube platform.

Gabriel Cinquegrana
Sons of the American Legion
VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System
Robin Johnson, Chief, Center for Development & Civic Engagement