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Date: 8/3/2018
CHICOPEE – You don’t have to be a cigar smoker to attend the upcoming Cigars4Soldeirs event on Aug. 12.
Organizer Bernie St. George explained to The Reminder the event is to raise funds for the Pioneer Valley USO and to send care packages – including some cigars – to troops stationed overseas.
“It’s a little bit of comfort from home,” St. George said of the packages.
Cigars4Soldiers will take place starting at 2 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club at 149 Exchange St. St. George said attendees will receive a gift bag with several cigars donated by the Cigar Room 2 in Agawam, a steak dinner, themed drinks, live entertainment and an embroidered button-up cigar shirt.
There will be an outdoor area where smokers can light up a stogie and a corn hole tournament as an added attraction.
The cost is $75 and St. George urged people to consider buying their tickets in advance so a shirt can be ordered in their size. If people buy tickets at the door, he said, the shirt would be mailed to them at a later date.
St. George and his wife operate Bridal Corner in Chicopee and have been doing a charitable event called “Stuff a Limo” benefitting the USO for several years. He was talking with his friend John Beaulieu about adding another fundraising event and Beaulieu suggested a cigar event.
Half of the proceeds will go directly to the USO to support their mission helping military personnel and their families, while the other half will go toward the creation and shipping of the care packages, St. George said.
He stressed the event is not just for men or just for cigar smokers. People who don’t smoke will be asked to consider donating the cigars in their gift bag to the USO for the care packages.
There will be a raffle with a number of prizes including a rifle from Savage Arms. St. George said many local businesses have supported the effort and he was overwhelmed by the response.
Tickets can be purchased over the phone prior to the event from the Pioneer Valley USO just by calling Al at 313-5695. All major credit/debit cards are accepted as well. Everyone is encouraged to purchase them ahead of time to secure a seat for the event, and reserve a shirt in their size. Tickets can also be bought through Facebook at Cigars4Soldiers, or at the Cigar Room 2 in Agawam.