HOLYOKE – The Massachusetts and Rhode Island departments of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., are hosting a “Star Spangled Afternoon” show on Sunday, May 15 at The Log Cabin banquet and meeting house in Holyoke.
Held to benefit veteran recreation programs at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and for the two state soldiers’ homes in Massachusetts, in Holyoke and Chelsea, the afternoon will feature a great entertainment lineup of local performers, including Dan Kane and friends, who will salute America’s veterans with a selection of patriotic music and favorites from the 1930s and 1940s.
The event will include dinner stations featuring a variety of great food, starting at 2 p.m. The entertainment portion of the afternoon will begin at 3:30 p.m. Raffle prizes with a silent auction will feature several donated gifts from tourism and travel destinations throughout the Pioneer Valley and southern New England, to include Boston sports teams. The gala event will end around 5 p.m.
Tickets, which are $50 before April 4 and $60 starting on that date, can be purchased on line at logcabin-delaney.com or by calling (413) 535-5077.
The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. is a national organization of mothers whose children died while in military service, died as a result of military service, or are missing in action. The organization services veterans, military members and their families, and the families of the fallen through volunteer service at veteran medical centers and throughout community-based outreach.
In addition to support for VA medical centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including the VA in Leeds and the two state soldiers’ homes, including Holyoke, proceeds from the event will also go toward programs at the centers for homeless veterans in Boston, Shrewsbury, and Worcester; and to the Fisher House Boston. Other veteran charitable organizations throughout the region are also supported through the event, which is the only fundraiser of its kind during the year held by the Gold Star Mothers.
“Our goal this year is to raise more than $10,000 for veterans in southern New England,” said Karen Lounsbury, president of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Department of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. “We are proud to join our fellow mothers from western Massachusetts in hosting this event in Holyoke this year and are so appreciative of the outpouring of support we’ve received from the community in having it here. This event will be a great way for the community to come together to honor veterans and their families and will inspire people to support veterans throughout the year.”
A traveling tribute wall, the “Faces of Remembrance,” which honors the memory of fallen service members, will be on prominent display as will information on the national campaign to designate the “Honor and Remember” flag as a national symbol to recognize the sacrifice of military service members and their families.
The Log Cabin has also reserved rooms at its D. Hotel & Suites in Holyoke, 10 minutes from the event location, at a discount rate for all guests and out-of-town attendees. Call D. Hotel & Suites at (413) 533-2100 and use “Gold Star” for the special rate.
