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Date: 8/21/2019
CHICOPEE – More than a hundred people came together to raise money to support local military members and their families at a recent fundraiser for the Pioneer Valley USO.
The event, Cigars for Soldiers, was held for the second time on Aug. 11 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Chicopee Portuguese American Club. About 175 people paid $75 to go to the event, and in return received a steak dinner, an embroidered shirt with the event logo, got to play in a cornhole tournament, listened to live music, and more.
Not only did the event raise money for the USO, but the money raised will help send cigars to those who are deployed.
Bernie St. George, who owns Bridal Corner in Chicopee with his wife, told Reminder Publishing each year the Stuff A Limo toy drive is held at the bridal store, but he wanted to do something later in the year as well. He said one day during a conversation with a friend they were discussing just that when his friend looked down at the cigars they were smoking and the idea came to them.
The USO, housed at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, serves local military members and their families in various ways.
“The majority of what we do is locally engaging military members in need,” said Pioneer Valley USO Board President David Mendoza. “If a new military member was to move to Western Mass., they might need a place to live, they have questions about healthcare.”
St. George said he supports the USO because there are two military bases in Western Massachusetts and he feels “They’re a very worthy cause.”
“My son-in-law is navy. I’ve never served, but I’m blessed more than I deserve,” he told Reminder Publishing. “I feel the urge to give back, and who better to give back to?”
The community played a big part in the event as well. USO volunteers cooked the steak dinner, a large number of businesses donated items as raffle prizes, and more businesses served as sponsors than last year St. George said.
Community support, however, is nothing new according to Mendoza. “Being a nonprofit, we strive to partner with supportive local businesses throughout the year. The community is so wonderful, I can’t begin to name the organizations that help us,” he said. “The community really seems to embrace the organization.”
St. George said he has plans to host the Cigars for Soldiers event next year. In the meantime, anyone looking to help the USO throughout the year can attend their upcoming golf tournament on Sept. 21 at the Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley or call their main office at 557-3290 to volunteer.
Medoza said you don’t need to be a veteran or in the military to volunteer. “We’re just an outpouring of volunteers,” he said. “The satisfaction for us is the continued thank yous and smiles of military members and their families.”