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Pioneer Valley USO helps military and families

By Lori O'Brien

Correspondent



CHICOPEE - More than 60 volunteers across the region log over 4,000 hours of service annually to benefit the programs and services of the Pioneer Valley USO (United Service Organizations).

Based out of the Westover Air Reserve Base, the Pioneer Valley USO serves military personnel residing in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, according to Sandy Wakefield, executive director, Pioneer Valley USO.

"The Pioneer Valley USO was founded after the Gulf War when so many people participated in the great 'welcome home' at Westover," said Wakefield during an interview with Reminder Publications. "Many military and civilian people felt that with such a large family presence in our area that a USO would be helpful."

Wakefield explained that one of the issues that came out of Desert Storm was that families could be in financial difficulty when their service member was activated.

"The USO founded its Food Pantry to help all military families in need," said Wakefield, adding "USO volunteers also help with many military activities such as deployments, reunions, children's parties, deployment briefings and family days."

With no sign of letting up for deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, a great need still exists to help the families of military personnel in our region.

"This organization is important locally because we have thousands of military personnel in Western Massachusetts," said Wakefield. "We not only have the Reserves at Westover, but we also have the Air National Guard Base in Westfield, numerous Army detachments along with Marines and Navy personnel."

Wakefield said the Pioneer Valley USO's main offering is its Food Pantry which is always in need of nonperishable donations.

"Any military person (or their families) with a current military ID card is welcome to use the pantry twice a month," said Wakefield, adding "no questions are asked and everyone from every branch of the service is welcome."

Wakefield emphasized that since the conflict in Iraq, she has seen the use of the pantry more than triple.

"We belong to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank and its allotments are never enough," she said. "Many times we have to purchase food so the families can get a good variety when they come in."

Most of the military personnel in our region are in the Guard or Reserves and have jobs outside of their military duties, according to Wakefield.

"In many instances, families or just a single person lose money when they are called to active duty," she said. "Sometimes it is very difficult deciding what bills to try and pay and still be able to feed the family. The USO Food Pantry helps to alleviate some of the stress."

The Knights of Columbus on Granby Road hosted a benefit spaghetti dinner April 16 (Patriot's Day) to help raise funds for the organization since the Pioneer Valley USO does not receive government funding. Midway through the two-hour fundraiser, the line stretched almost to the entranceway as hundreds of area residents turned out to support the troops and enjoy a delicious meal that was served by members of the city's two high school Key Clubs.

"I have a great board of directors who each year run our annual gold tournament and other fundraising activities," said Wakefield. "We do have to raise all of the funds we use to support the troops."

The Pioneer Valley USO also links up with business partners including COSTCO, who generously donates a host of foodstuff for deployments and reunions, and radio stations that help get the word out about fundraising activities.

Of course, no nonprofit organization would be successful without a core group of dedicated volunteers and new members are always welcome to join the 65-member Pioneer Valley USO.

"We have wonderful volunteers from age 20 to 80 and everyone does whatever they can," said Wakefield. "Our volunteers participate in a host of activities and we certainly do not expect our volunteers to participate in everything. We understand that a retired person is more available than the younger one who has to work."

South Hadley resident Karen Provoda recently joined the USO and couldn't stress enough how supportive and welcoming the members have been. She also added she knows how important it is for military personnel to have an organization like the USO to help since her son, Sgt. Anthony Popkowski, serves in the Marines and has already done one tour of duty in Iraq.

For area residents, businesses or organizations interested in making donations to the USO Food Pantry, call (413) 557-3290 or the USO cell phone at (413) 222-5276.

Checks can also be made out to the Pioneer Valley USO and sent to USO Council of Pioneer Valley, 100 Walker Ave., Suite 4, Westover A.R.B., Chicopee, MA 01022. Any donation made to the Pioneer Valley USO is tax-deductible. Eighty-seven cents out of every dollar raised goes directly to programs and services to support U.S. service members and their families, according to Wakefield.

Wakefield noted it is difficult to say how many people in our area are deployed at this moment as it keeps changing.

"We do know it is in the hundreds on any given day," she added.

Persons interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Wakefield via e-mail at Sandra.wakefield@westover.af.mil for an application.