Submitted by Gene Theroux: Past Commander, American Legion Post 124; Commander, The Sons of The American Legion Squadron 124; Chairman, Post 124 Americanism Committee
Left to right: Gary Fontaine, Junior Vice Commander, Traci Heath, March of Dimes and Ted Gage Senior Vice Commander (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – At the April 2, 2018 American Legion Post 124 monthly meeting, a check for $ 1,625.73 was presented to Traci Heath, Senior Development Manager at the March of Dimes. The money was raised from the Post 124’s 71st Annual March of Dimes Spaghetti Supper that was held on March 9th & 10th 2018 at Post 124.
This traditional Benefit Dinner started in 1947 by a group of WW II Post 124 veterans to combat the dreaded polio disease and we’re proud to announce that Post 124 is the longest third party consecutive fundraiser for the March of Dimes Foundation in the country.
The original Post members, Westfield Veterans, who started our tradition 71 years ago, were Anthony Parenzo, Alfred Calagari, George Hickson, John “Tux” Murphy and Joseph “Nookie” Calagari. Their legacy is now carried on by the Post 124 American Legion Family to help the March of Dimes in its mission to fight premature birth.
Prematurity is the #1 killer of babies in the United States. The March of Dimes is working to change that and help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. From polio to prematurity the March of Dimes has focused on researching the problems that threaten our children and finding ways to prevent them. It’s only fitting that the check presentation was made during April, The American Legion’s Children and Youth Month.
