WESTFIELD – City residents will be reminded of the charitable efforts of the city’s union firefighters starting Sunday when professional solicitors will begin making phone calls to raise funds for the union.
City firefighter Ray Neilsen said recently that firefighters, members of Local No. 1111 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, support youth sports teams and numerous other community activities and the direct telephone solicitations are the most “cost-effective” way to raise money for their efforts.
He said that, in previous years, some residents have had cautious responses to the callers and have called fire headquarters to check on the legitimacy of the solicitations.
Neilsen said that caution is appropriate since there are many scams artists and misleading fundraisers working the phones trying to take advantage of the generosity of residents.
He said that the callers legitimately seeking support for the local union will be able to tell potential contributors, if asked, that they are working specifically for Local #1111 and will make reference to the annual exhibition hockey game between former players for the Boston Bruins, the Black and Gold Legends, and a pickup team of city firefighters and their friends.
Neilsen said that the solicitors will offer tickets for the March 1 game and will offer contributors two ways to get their donation to the union.
He said that donors may mail a contribution to the Westfield Firefighters at P.O. Box 581, Westfield, MA, 01086 or, he said, the solicitor “will arrange for pickup a the donor’s convenience.”
The solicitors have arranged for drivers who will visit a contributor’s home at an agreed upon time when the donor will be asked to leave his or her donation attached to the front door for pickup.
Neilsen stressed that, by either method, no cash should be contributed. He also asked that no mail be sent to the union at the Fire Department headquarters to prevent confusion with department mail.
The March 1 event at Amelia Park, Neilsen said, will be much more than just a hockey game.
“We’re looking to make it a community event so there’s no admission (fee) but we’re looking for donations.”
Neilsen said the event will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m. and, in addition to the game, there will be raffles, a teacup auction and sports memorabilia (including autographed pictures) which will be offered for sale.
Also offered, Neilsen said, will be Westfield firehouse chili and other food.
A second highlight of the event will be a pair of hockey skills clinics staged by the former Bruins players. Neilsen said that youth hockey coaches and members of the St. Mary High School varsity hockey team will be on hand to help with the clinics.
One clinic will be for players in the ‘mini mites’ through ‘squirts’ programs and the second will be for players in the ‘pee wee’ program and older players.
“The Bruins will be running the clinics and our guys will be there to help” Neilsen said. He said that children may register for the clinics, at a cost of $30, at Amelia Park before the event.
