Bishop Hendricken High School and Iggy’s Restaurant are co-sponsoring a free Veteran’s Day Breakfast for veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Iggy’s in Oakland Beach.

Due to COVID restrictions, attendees have options for enjoying their meal. Two seating times are available, 8:30 or 9:30 a.m., to enjoy breakfast at Iggy’s. Curbside pickup is also available every half hour. The maximum seating at Iggy’s is 60 attendees. Veterans must RSVP for the event.

Billy Johnston, Hendricken soccer coach, physics teacher, and science department chair, is the mastermind behind the event. He is passionate about giving back to his community, and with several family members in the armed forces, this is an event that hits close to home. “It’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s sacrificed so much.

Johnston started the event 5 years ago, when the breakfast was held in the Hendricken cafeteria. Soccer players would volunteer to cook and serve pancakes, but because of COVID, this was no longer an option. Johnston is thankful for Iggy’s stepping up to put on this year’s event. “I really didn’t want to cancel,” he said.

Peter Thomas, Hendricken Director of Institutional Advancement, used to run the Thanksgiving Day meal, another popular community outreach event that was unfortunately cancelled because of COVID. Thomas noted that the meal was “by far one of the best services that we offer the Warwick community. It directly affects those in the community with the most need.” While the Thanksgiving event won’t run this year, Thomas is excited for next year, since Iggy’s Restaurant has offered to co-host the event. “Out of a negative comes a huge positive,” said Thomas.

For those Veterans interested in the breakfast, please RSVP by Nov. 9 by emailing Michele King (mking@hendricken.com) with your name, phone number, whether you would like to be seated or pick up your meal, and the time. Reservations can also be made by calling King at (401) 889-5407.