TONIGHT Rain Showers. Low of 36. Search for The Westfield News The Westfield Search“IF for YOU The Westfield WISH News Westfield350.com News TODAY IN WESTTheFIELD WestfieldNews TO AVOID SEEING A FOOL HISTORY: Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY YOU MUST FIRST WEATHER 1792: Toll on Westfield Canal CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT is $1.10 per ton for shipping. BREAK YOUR MIRRORAMBITION.” .” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Search— Fra forNCO TheIS R WestfieldABELAIS News Westfield350.comLow of 55. The www.thewestfieldnews.comWestfieldNews “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL. 86 NO. 151 Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns WEATHER TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 CRITIC WITHOUT75 cents VOL. 87 NO. 45 75 Cents TONIGHT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018 AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.WRAFT 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents celebrates first anniversary of advocating Westfield native Chris Riga, who is the Patient Experience Veterans and family members attend Veterans Town Hall Coordinator at the VAMC in Leeds, spearheaded the meeting at for clean water Thursday at the Council on Aging. the Council on Aging. By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves (WRAFT) celebrated the first anni- versary of its founding in response to the perfluoroal- Veterans Town Hall encourages kyl substance (PFAS) contamination of the Barnes Aquifer on Thursday afternoon at Skyline Trading Company. Co-founder Kristen Mello said the three most important accomplishments of WRAFT in the past Westfield veterans to connect to benefits year included joining with other communities affect- By AMY PORTER ed by PFAS contamination and creating a national Correspondent organization; hosting a public forum, and collecting WESTFIELD – The VA Central Western Massachusetts more than 750 signatures of Westfield residents in Healthcare System held its first Veterans Town Hall in support of the need for Westfield residents in the Westfield at the Westfield Senior Center on Thursday. About Barnes aquifer area to know the PFAS numbers in 75 veterans and their families attended the event to hear their blood. what programs are available for veterans and to sign up or Mary Jones of the Toxics Action Center, who ask questions about health care benefits. attended the first WRAFT meeting held one year ago John P. Collins, director of the organization and a 30-year in Mello’s living room, said that her agency is cur- veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Department said the VA rently working with eight communities that have been has been focusing on outreach. He said they’ve seen a 6% growth in new users, but many veterans are still not con- See WRAFT, Page 8 nected with healthcare benefits. He said he has hired 150 new employees in the three years that he has served the region, resulting in an increase in patient and employee sat- isfaction. Collins also said their top clinical priority is to connect with veterans who are struggling. “20 veterans a day commit suicide, on average. 14 of those 20 are not connected to the VA,” Collins said, adding, “If you know of someone who’s struggling; please have them connect with us.” One way to connect is through a Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 press 1. Westfield Veterans Service Office staff Bobby Callahan, Another priority for Collins is the VA Medical Center in James Jordan and Julie Barnes. Barnes is shadowing Leeds, which is the home base for the region. He said plans Callahan until he retires in July, when she will begin as in the next five years are to renovate every part of the Veterans Service Officer. VAMC, which was built in the 1920s. Also speaking were Robert Belcher of the National Cemetery Association, Curtis Evans of the Veterans Benefits “The VA is coming here, that’s the main thing. We need to do Administration, Boston Regional Office, and Bobby more to get veterans connected to their services. That’s why it’s Callahan, Veterans Service Officer for Westfield who spoke so important,” Velis said. He said his main role in the meeting about state and local benefits. was to thank the groups for coming to Westfield. Evans said everything the VA can do for veterans starts Westfield native Chris Riga, who works for the VA as the with separation papers, and encouraged them to keep the patient experience coordinator, said he thought it was a good Members of WRAFT with thank you card to the City papers in a marked envelope for family members. “The most turnout for the meeting. Both Velis and Collins said Riga spear- of Westfield. (Photo submitted) difficult thing we have on the benefits side is people who headed the event at the Council on Aging. love you,” Evans said. “I guarantee you we’re going to be “I spoke to the Veterans Service Officer and the Mayor. It’s a able to do so much more for you,” he added. good idea for veterans and the city,” Riga said, adding, “It’s State Representative John C. Velis attended the Town really important for veterans to come to these events and get the Hall, as did Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and City Councilors latest information. For those not enrolled or who have questions, Westfield State Nicholas J. Morganelli, Dan Allie, and Michael Burns. they can begin here. organization seeks public’s help Night of comedy fundraiser slated By GREG FITZpaTRICK By LORI SZEPELAK During the evening, a 50/50 raffle is Correspondent Correspondent planned as well as a general raffle. WESTFIELD – The Social Work Association, a WESTFIELD-With less than 460 days Tickets are $15 per person or $25 for a student-run organization at Westfield State University, to go before the city celebrates its 350th couple. Tickets can be purchased at The is seeking donations for their Stuff a Duffle Bag birthday, volunteers with the Friends of Westfield News, 64 School St., or at event. the Westfield 350th Committee are gear- Pilgrim Candle, 16 Union St. Tickets can The club is collecting items like clothing, toilet- ing up for the latest fundraising event – a also be purchased online by visiting ries, food, toys, and gift cards now until March 26. Comedy Night slated for March 9. www.westfield350.org. On that date, all of the donations will be delivered by The Elks Club on Franklin Street will Proceeds raised from this fundraiser members of the Social Work Association to local be the setting for an evening of laughter will benefit the Westfield 350th celebra- shelters, hospitals, and several DCF (Department of with entertainers Frankie Hill, Pat Oates tion that is planned May 19, 2019. Children and Families) locations throughout Western and Rafi Gonzales. The Friends of the Westfield 350th Massachusetts. Gonzales, a regular performer at Committee is working in partnership According to junior Kaleala Shaw, who is the Mohegan Sun and clubs in Boston, is a with the Westfield Mayor’s Office to plan President of the club, the Stuff a Duffle Bag event Westfield resident who is excited to bring several significant events and activities started last year. Since last year, the Social Work his energetic storytelling to his home- to celebrate the city’s actual founding Association has grown the event into more than just town. Hill is best known for his clever date of May 19, 1669. Harry Rock, who asking for donations on the Westfield State campus. and sometimes dark one liners. Oates serves as the president of the Friends Donations are actively being sought throughout appears regularly on Springfield’s Rock group, will discuss upcoming events dur- Westfield and the surrounding communities. 102 and was the winner of the 2015 Last ing the evening. For updates and news of “We expanded the target population,” said Shaw. Comic Standing competition at Mohegan ongoing activities, “like” the Westfield “People we’re so actively excited to donate.” Sun. 350 page on Facebook. Volunteers are In order to donate items you can email Shaw at Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show also encouraged to get involved and can starting promptly at 7:30. A cash bar will find more information at the organiza- See Donations, Page 8 be available and snacks will be offered. tion’s website. PAGE 2 - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018 THE WESTFIELD NEWS American Legion Post 338 presents check to Honor Flight New England SOUTHWICK – The American Legion Post 338 family hosted a Spaghetti Dinner and they presented a check for $1,000 to Honor Flight New England. Honor Flight recognizes American Veterans for their sacrifices and achievement by flying them to Washington DC to see their memorial at no cost. Top priority (for which they are currently accepting applications) is given to WWII and terminally ill veterans from all wars. In order for Honor Flight to achieve this goal, escorts fly with the Veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping Veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience. For further information, contact them at 603-518-5368 or visit their web- site at www.HonorFlightNewEngland.org. The money for the donation was raised from a Pig Roast fundraiser that the American Legion Post 338 family of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion & Legion Riders held this past October 29, 2017 at Pictured left to right are Russ Pike, Vice Commander, Todd Brower, Rick Marcoullier, Commander, Kris Kozuch, Sean Cox, Adjutant, the Southwick Post pavilion. Josh Ilnicki, Jakub Ladomski. 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