Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/25/2019
CHICOPEE – A group of local organizations and business owners are working hard to recognize and uplift veterans from the greater Chicopee area through what they hope to be an annual event.
Summerfest is a collaborative effort between Homes for Warriors, the Veterans Administration, Veterans Inc., and the Department of Veteran’s Services.
The event is scheduled for July 28 at Poor Richard’s in Chicopee from 2 to 8 p.m. and will raise money for Veterans Inc., an organization that provides support services for veterans and their families.
Veterans Inc. Employment and Training Instructor, Christian DiLuzio said the event came into fruition when the organizations met and decided they wanted to give back to Western Massachusetts veterans in a way that was fun and meaningful.
“We wanted to do something that would draw out the younger post 9/11 veterans, an event that would be family friendly, draw a great crowd, and a little outside the box,” DiLuzio said.
The purchase of the $20 ticket will give guests the opportunity to listen to live music from several bands of varying genres, buy goods from local vendors, and purchase food from a number of trucks. Summerfest will cater to all ages, including kids, with a free pool and video game systems.
However, DiLuzio, told Reminder Publishing raising funds is secondary to taking a moment and recognizing what these veterans have sacrificed. That is why the event will include a recognition ceremony and gift presentation at 4 p.m., led by Rep. and Army veteran, John Velis, for a group of post 9/11 veterans who will be in attendance.
“The public will be able to see our veterans from greater Chicopee as they are: these are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends,” DiLuzio said. “They have sacrificed so much both mentally and physically, and sometimes it is hard to see.”
Fundraising is still important, however, and helps Veterans Inc. assist Western Massachusetts veterans in a number of ways. Donations and fundraisers, DiLuzio said, help the organization pay for things such as bus passes for veterans to get to work, helping them purchase professional clothes, and buying bus tickets so that they may get treatment for substance abuse issues.
“As a 20-year Army veteran myself, I am all about breaking cycles and seeing my brothers and sisters re-integrate into the world successfully,” DiLuzio told Reminder Publishing.
DiLuzio said 100 percent of funds raised through Summerfest will go directly to Veterans Inc.
Summerfest will be the third fundraiser planned by Homes for Warriors, a group of businesses from Western Massachusetts committed helping members of the veteran, police, and fire communities through fundraising. The event is also one of the many “Vet Togethers,” or fun, family friendly events planned by several veterans-services organizations across Western Massachusetts, planned throughout the year.
While big corporations and venues will also hold veteran benefit concerts from time to time, DiLuzio told Reminder Publishing Summerfest is different.
“This is the first one in the area that is really put on by veterans for veterans with all the proceeds going to veterans services, and specifically to those in the most need.“
To date, DiLuzio said Homes for Warriors has fundraised and donated over $5,000 to a number of charitable causes across Western Massachusetts.
“We as veterans service providers are making a great effort to outreach to those who served,” he said. “They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us.”
Tickets for Summerfest can be bought in advance online at homesforwarriors.org or the day of the event at Poor Richards’, which is located at 116 School St.