NORTHFIELD — Following two particularly successful fundraisers this year, the Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9874 donated $500 worth of Stop & Shop gift cards to the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District.
Northfield VFW Commander Denis Brennan said his post typically donates to the veterans’ services district sporadically when the need is evident, as it has been this year amid the economic impact resulting from the pandemic. However, he hopes to make the donation an annual one.
“That’s pretty much what our organization exists for is to give back to veterans, and when we can do that in this challenging time, it’s very rewarding,” Brennan said. “It says a lot about the community that supports us.”
To raise money, the Northfield VFW adapted its usual chicken barbecue fundraiser into a drive-thru format in early October, and held its poppy drive — usually scheduled for mid-May — on the final weekend of October.
“We were happy to be as successful,” he said. “I feel like we’ve adapted and people really stepped up and supported (our fundraisers).”
Timothy Niejadlik, director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District, said the district regularly receives donations like this one, and is used to distributing the gift cards to those in need.
“We first go through our known lowest-income veterans and widows of veterans and try to give them one around the holidays,” Niejadlik said. “We then keep several in reserve for use throughout the year as situations arise. Most often these are transient veterans who may be staying in a shelter or with a buddy while trying to get service lined up for them.”
The veterans and their dependents look forward to receiving the gift cards at this time of year, he added, helping them to put a meal on their table that they might not have been able to afford.
“The local VFWs and Rolling Thunder have been tremendous in helping us take care of veterans over the years,” Niejadlik said in appreciation. “We recommend anyone looking to donate to an organization to consider them first in their thoughts. These donations stay local and all of it goes to the veterans.”
In addition to having the Stop & Shop gift cards to distribute, Brennan said the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District helps veterans and their families in a variety of ways financially, such as helping with heating bills or vehicle repair costs.
“Tim and Chris have a network of resources,” Brennan said. “If they can’t help the individuals, they actually reach out to us.”
Brennan advises veterans who need help to reach out to the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District at 413-772-1571. The district serves the towns of Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately.
Reach Shelby Ashline at 413-772-0261, ext. 270 or sashline@recorder.com.