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Bellamy will take center stage at Stanley Park fundraiser

WESTFIELD-In a nod to the Olympic spirit, funds raised from this fall’s annual Stanley Park fundraiser will benefit the athletic community.

“As a private nonprofit organization, Stanley Park relies on the generosity of our donors to support the park’s upkeep and improvements in addition to our annual programming,” said managing director Robert McKean. “With Stanley Park’s commitment to the athletic community and support of local athletic teams, we rely on community funding so these areas can continue to be maintained and utilized for years to come.”

Kara Herman, on left, is chairing the Go for the Gold at Stanley Park fundraiser this fall, assisted by committee members Donna Herman, Robert McKean, managing director of Stanley Park, Hillary McEwan, development coordinator, and Linda Snider-Tryon.

The 11th annual fundraiser – Go for the Gold at Stanley Park – is slated Sept. 8, 5 to 8 p.m., in the park’s Beveridge Pavilion.

Special “surprise guests” have been invited to open the event with the singing of the National Anthem and Olympic gold medalist Kacey Bellamy returns to her hometown to talk about her experiences as an Olympian, sign autographs and be available for photos, according to Kara Herman, chair of this year’s fundraising committee.

“There will also be a gymnastics demonstration from future Olympian hopefuls from the Roots Gymnastics Center,” said Herman.

Funds raised this year will support the repair and restoration of Stanley Park’s recreation and athletic areas including the tennis courts, basketball courts, and the athletic fields.

On a recent morning visit to the park, McKean said funds raised from the event will “assist in rebuilding the tennis courts, updating the regulation baskets on the basketball courts, and providing upkeep on the 40 acres of the athletic fields.”

The tennis courts will be among the recreational and athletic areas to benefit from funds raised at this fall’s Go for the Gold at Stanley Park fundraiser.

A fundraising committee has been working behind the scenes for months in preparation for the annual affair. Herman is joined by Linda Snider-Tryon, Mary O’Connell, Donna Herman, and Hillary McEwan, who also serves as the park’s development coordinator. Currently, members are soliciting area businesses for event sponsorships as well as donations for the live and silent auctions. The deadline for sponsors, auction item donations and ticket sales is Aug. 28.

The basketball courts will receive a makeover with funds raised at this fall’s Stanley Park fundraiser.

At press time, Herman noted that gold sponsors include Baystate Noble Hospital Corp., Advanced Manufacturing Co. Inc., Westfield Bank, and The Beveridge Family Foundation, and Westfield State University has signed on for a silver sponsorship. Also, bronze sponsors at press time include Air Compressor Engineering Co. Inc., and Westfield Gas and Electric.

Herman added that the success of the event will rely on proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships and donated items for the auctions.

“We have various silent auction items including gift certificates to local restaurants, museums, golf courses and retail stores,” said Herman, adding that Big E passes, a Bright Nights season pass, and round trip tickets to New York City and Boston (from Peter Pan Bus Lines) will be featured. Examples of live auction items include a gas grill and accessories, a fire pit with two Adirondack chairs, and tickets to the Blue Man Group in Boston including dinner for two.

“Attorney Rock Palmer will be our master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the evening,” said Herman, adding Palmer is also a Stanley Park board member.

Tickets – which are tax deductible – are $45 per person and can be reserved by calling the park office at (413) 568-9312, ext. 108, sending an email to McEwan at [email protected], or by visiting the park’s website – www.stanleypark.org.

Log Rolling Catering from the Log Cabin and Delaney House will once again create the festive stations that will feature cheddar and bacon potato cups, mini Philly cheese steak, meatballs, scallops in bacon, vegetable pot stickers and an apricot chicken salad in pastry cups. Petite sampling stations will feature corn chowder with corn bread, shrimp and scallop scampi with orecchiette pasta, penne a la vodka with broccoli and gorgonzola alfredo and garlic bread sticks, and a chop-chop salad with marinated sirloin, chicken or shrimp with finely chopped vegetables and a house creamy dressing. Angus beef sliders with pickles and a variety of toppings and dressings with homemade clips will also be featured.

“A welcome station will be available at the beginning of the event with cheese and crackers,” said Herman, adding that desserts and coffee will be available after dinner. A cash bar for beer and wine will be open throughout the evening.

As part of the evening’s festivities, the President’s Award will also be given to a volunteer for his or her many contributions made to the park.

“The President’s Award is important because volunteers give of their time here,” said McKean, adding, “There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

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