The Italian American War Veterans Post 40 in Milford needed some money to repair the building's heating system — so a local nonprofit that supports veterans and their families stepped in to help. The Milford-based nonprofit Thanks To Yanks presented the post with a $500 check that will be put toward the heating system upgrade, founder Michael Shain said this week.

Thanks To Yanks was founded in 2006 with a dinner to support soldiers who went to war after the Sept. 11 attacks. The dinner began with 120 attendees in 2006 and grew to 450 by 2018. The 13th annual dinner was held this past Sept. 11 and was sold out.