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Date: 11/25/2019
CHICOPEE – For the fourth year, the Bridal Corner in Chicopee is hosting their annual Stuff A Limo event to give back to military members and families in the community by benefitting the Pioneer Valley USO.
Bernie St. George, one of the owners of Bridal Corner, told Reminder Publishing the event was born out of his passion for supporting the local military members in the community.
“I never served and it’s kinda a regret of mine,” he explained. “It’s an honor for me to give back to those who sacrifice so much. Knowing it’s staying local and going to those who do so much for us.”
Since Stuff A Limo first took place in 2015, the event has grown each year. “More and more people have gotten involved. We’ve gotten more and more toys, more and more people on board and showing up,” he said.
This year’s event will take place on Dec. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bridal Corner on 720 Memorial Dr. St. George said the Stuff A Limo event is done on a Sunday each year so the store can be closed and they still have a space to use. “We’re not open for business, it's not about that,” he said.
St. George acknowledged that when people think about families in need, military families are not often what is pictured. However, he said there are military families in the area that are in need of assistance during the holiday season.
“A lot of them aren’t from this area, they don’t have the family support, one or both parents are deployed possibly,” he explained. “They may not have the money to provide, that’s where we come in.”
While the Bridal Corner is hosting the Dec. 1 event to collect a large amount of toys, St. George said four dropoff locations are currently accepting donations and will continue to accept donations until the end of December. Donations can be dropped off at the Bridal Corner, the Granby Police Department at 259A East State St., the Castle of Knights Council 4044 on Memorial Drive and Bob Pion Buick GMC, also on Memorial Drive.
St. George said the event is “like Toys for Tots, but everything stays local.” While there’s no specific items being requested and donations for all ages will be accepted, he mentioned, “The ones who usually get missed are the older kids, the tweens.” St. George said in recent years they have been encouraging those donating to bring gifts for older kids, including gift cards so that they could purchase items such as video games.
Cash and check donations for the USO will also be accepted the day of the event. Those wishing to donate a check should make it out to the Pioneer Valley USO. St. George said if they make it out to the USO, it will go to the national organization instead of staying local.
St. George was clear that he doesn’t want to benefit from the event in any way. “I don’t want a dollar in my hand, I want it all to go to them,” he said. “We’ve got two major bases, Westover and Barnes. We’ve got a lot of military folks in this area and want to take care of them,” he said.
The event will feature hot chocolate and coffee donated by Starbucks, a visit from Santa Claus, Sparky the Fire Dog, a raffle for a GMC battery operated children’s truck, a visit from the Granby Fire Department with their antique fire truck and catered “goodies” from Hamel’s Creative Catering.
St. George said proceeds from the raffle will also go to the Pioneer Valley USO. Additionally, St. George described the Stuff A Limo event as “something to give back to the people that are giving” and said anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate will automatically be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate. This, he said, serves “as an incentive” and is a “nice way to say thank you” to those who donate gifts each year.