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Date: 1/20/2021
EASTHAMPTON – The Easthampton Police Department is doing its part to support Massachusetts veterans who need a helping hand.
Easthampton is among the local police departments, Massachusetts State Police barracks and sheriff’s departments that have partnered with the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation Inc. (MMSF), with the intent of giving coats to veterans in need.
Since 2016, MMSF’s “Coats4Vets Program” has distributed 34,500 coats to veterans. On Dec. 9, 2020, police and other state officials traveled to Gillette Stadium to pick up their “Coats4Vets Buckets.” Each bucket consisted of coats, masks, hand sanitizers and snacks.
Sgt. Bruce Nicol, the veterans liaison of the Easthampton Police Department, said, “We signed up ahead of time and asked for, and received, 20 buckets.” In total, MMSF had nearly 4,000 buckets.
Since then, three of the 20 buckets that Nicol and his team gathered have been given to veterans in the Easthampton area. The first recipient was a homeless man in town. Nicol stated, “They serve our country; it’s a good feeling to help them out.”
Throughout the town, there are countless military banners that wave. Each banner costs $200. Half of that money goes to the company that makes the banners, while a portion goes into a fund that is solely designated for veterans and homeless veterans in need.
To help spread the word on Coats4Vets, Nicol said the lieutenant posted on Facebook, reminding people that they have these buckets available. Although Easthampton doesn’t have a high homeless population, some veterans may not have enough money to purchase an item such as a jacket, he added.
“Recently, a retired vet marine was in need of boots, so I went to Dick’s and purchased them. If they need jackets, boots, gloves, etc., we have the funds to help them out in general,” stated Nicol. Regardless of where a veteran may reside, Nicol assured they can still be of assistance.
The food bank in Easthampton has recently donated 50 pairs of socks that will now be added to the buckets. Nicol shared that the Easthampton Community Center has all kinds of clothing, along with an abundance of food at the moment, waiting to be of assistance to anyone and everyone.
“We want to help the homeless, but veterans in need especially. This area is definitely a problem and we want people to understand that they can get help,” Nicol emphasized.
At this time, Coats4Vets is not accepting donations. All items in the buckets are brand new.
If anyone is aware of a veteran who may be in need, they should contact the Easthampton Police Department directly.