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Date: 6/24/2019
AGAWAM – This Independence Day, people can celebrate at Six Flags New England and help members of the military at the same time. The Agawam amusement park is hosting a “Military Appreciation Week” from July 3 to July 6 in conjunction with non-profit Medic Now Foundation.
Veterans and active members of the military can take advantage of free admission, while non-military guests are encouraged to bring toiletry donations, such as shampoo, conditioner, razors, body wash, deodorant, lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, anti-bacterial wipes, floss, lip balm, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, blankets, and first aid kits.
Guests who donate over $30 of items will receive a $20.19 entry coupon to the park during this event.
The Medic Now Foundation plans to have honor guards each day and two local singers, Ally Carnes and Shea Braceland, to sing the national anthem during the event. There are also plans for military vehicles to be on site, including “a military hummer – for the “touch a truck” experience for kids,” said Nick Morganelli, director and Media Liaison for the Medic Now Foundation. Morganelli said he hopes families get, “a more full appreciation of honoring veterans and the military.”
“I’m proud of the foundation,” said Michael Duggan, the president and founder of the Medic Now Foundation. “We’re so thankful that Six Flags New England wanted to help us.”
The Medic Now Foundation has created a program to assist service members, veterans, and their families, with out-of-pocket medical costs by providing them with medical expense stipend cards.
The cards can be used to pay for a variety of medical needs. One card was given to the widow of a veteran in Westfield for much-needed eye surgery, while the latest stipend card was given to a WWII Army veteran, Orace “Bud” Holland, from Worcester, to help with an outstanding medical bill that was causing a financial crisis for him and his wife. So far, five cards have been given out, with the money for each raised by board members for the organization.
“We are really in fundraising mode,” Morganelli said. The organization is actively seeking partnerships with businesses and sponsors to fund additional stipend cards.
One way the Medic Now Foundation is raising money is through the “We’ve Got Your Six” t-shirt campaign. All of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to the foundation to help fund the stipend cards. The t-shirts can be found at medicnowfoundation.org
“The backbone of America are the men, women, and families that serve and protect our country,” said Duggan. “It is our duty as Americans to never forget why they have always answered the call – it’s because we asked.”