WESTFIELD-For parishioners of UCC Second Congregational Church, collaborating with Westfield State University is a natural fit.
“We share a property line with the university and our congregation has had close ties with the university for years,” said Pastor Barbara Hesse. “We absolutely love Westfield State University students and we welcome every opportunity to work with them.”
The unique relationship continues this fall when the university’s softball team co-sponsors a fundraiser with the church titled “A Night Out With the Legends” on Sept. 28. The event will be conducted in Woodward Center on the university campus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with one 30-minute intermission.
Elvis Tribute Artist Ray Guillemette Jr. (Submitted photo)
The two-hour event features tribute artists Charlie Lask performing Neil Diamond songs, Lisa Carter showcasing Cher tunes, Nicole Fuller (aka Lady Niki) singing Lady Gaga songs, and Ray Guillemette Jr., performing Elvis classics.
“Anyone who loves the legends, past and current, will want to be here,” said Michelle Storozuk of the university’s Athletic Department. “This is a great venue to come out and have a great time with friends and family, while supporting two very worthwhile organizations.”
Storozuk is also a member of the church and has been working with Hesse behind the scenes on the logistics.
“The church is a very small community, and our softball team and baseball team have to raise a significant amount of money each year to travel in the spring for pre-season play,” said Storozuk. “I am hopeful that this is going to be a huge success, and knew we would need some help putting this together.”
Neil Diamond Tribute Artist Charlie Lask. (Submitted photo)
Storozuk feels strongly that this fundraiser is a “great way” to bring the campus community and the surrounding community together.
“We anticipate this event will be a success and will be able to make this an annual event,” said Storozuk.
Hesse added the church has additional connections to the university, including Karen Ducharme, organist and choir director, who works in the university’s Music Department, and parishioner Sue Emery who serves on the Westfield State University Neighborhood Advisory Board. Also, Hesse serves as a Protestant Chaplain at the Interfaith Center on campus.
“Most of the UCC Second Congregational Church parishioners have grown up in Westfield, and a vast majority are Westfield State graduates,” said Hesse.
Features of the evening will include a teacup raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and refreshments for purchase. Meal deals will include hot dogs, mini meatball subs, pulled pork sliders and a pulled pork sundae with a scoop of mac and cheese with pulled pork and onions. An a la carte menu will also be offered. Snacks will include popcorn, nachos and cheese and chips, as well as cold drinks. Desserts to be offered include whoopie pies and cheesecake.
Cher Tribute Artist Lisa Carter. (Submitted photo)
Proceeds raised from the fundraiser will allow the softball team to pay less out of pocket for their spring travel, according to Storozuk.
“UCC Second Congregational Church prides itself in being ‘A Beacon of Hope’ here in Westfield,” said Hesse. “Fundraisers such as ‘A Night Out With the Legends’ allows the church to continue with our outreach ministry. Our outreach ministry helps put school supplies into the hands of needy students, supplements our work at Community Table, offers transportation for seniors going to medical appointments, provides Christmas gifts for victims of domestic violence, and socks, mittens and scarves for the homeless.”
Hesse added that church members work with established programs including Kinship to help homeless youth and Common Goods which helps Westfield State students, staff and faculty.
“Just recently 60 to 80 of the Westfield State University football players volunteered to clean the yard and perimeter of our church,” said Hesse. “Last year, I drove into our parking lot and noticed all of the litter had been picked up by a bunch of students without being asked. I guess that I said it before – we absolutely love Westfield State University students.”
The tribute artists are gearing up for their appearance and are eager to take the stage for this fundraiser.
“I feel very lucky to be able to do something that I enjoy,” said Fuller. “I have always enjoyed singing, dancing, and performing. It’s a true honor that I have the opportunity to perform as a Lady Gaga Tribute Artist and I keep getting invited to perform.”
For Guillemette, performing as an Elvis Tribute Artist is personal.
“Elvis was one of the most influential personalities in the history of music and entertainment, on every level,” said Guillemette. “To be able to proudly and successfully represent that existence of an entertainer is an honor. I’m just a fan displaying his memorabilia and what Elvis Presley meant to me as a stage performer.”
For Carter, her Cher tribute is about bringing “joy” to the audience.
“Once I’m on stage, I want to bring joy and memories back for people,” said Carter, who plans to include Cher’s classic “Turn Back Time” since it is a “pinnacle” song. “Our purpose as a performer is making people believe they are seeing a dead ringer of the artist.”
For Lask, his “high-energy tribute” of Diamond is to salute one of the top performers and song writers of the 20th century.
Lady Gaga Tribute Artist Nicole “Lady Niki” Fuller. (Submitted photo)
Tickets can be purchased in advance until Sept. 14 and are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Checks should be made payable to UCC Second Congregational Church and mailed to Michelle Storozuk, Westfield State University Athletic Department, 577 Western Ave., Westfield, MA 01086.
Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
For tickets or more information, call (413) 250-0685 or (413) 572-5405, or send an email to [email protected].
