Hello everyone,
We hope you are all enjoying the holiday season! As you are checking off some of the final items of your holiday shopping list this weekend, we hope you will consider stopping into one of the many incredible small businesses across the district.
On Monday Team Velis was in Chicopee to join a celebration honoring Captain Collins-Kalbaugh of the Chicopee Fire Department who was recently awarded the Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service. Together with Senator Gomez, Team Velis shared an official Senate citation with the captain to commemorate this recognition.
This week Gabe and Caitlyn joined Jewish community members at the State House to highlight the work of the Special Commission and to celebrate Hanukkah with a special Menorah lighting. On Wednesday, Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Treasurer Goldberg, Senate President Spilka, and House Speaker Mariano gathered to share their strong support for the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism’s recommendations and ways that they intend to continue the Special Commission’s work through implementation. Having spent much of the last year alongside Senator Velis hearing such heartbreaking experiences from our Jewish friends and neighbors during Commission meetings, the State House’s menorah lighting was particularly meaningful for Team Velis as a reminder that light always triumphs over darkness.
On Thursday, Bridget and Mark made their way out to the State House to help deliver the Senator’s annual holiday gift to his colleagues. As is tradition, each year Senators share small gifts with one another from a small business in their district in the spirit of the holidays. This year, Team Velis gifted each Senate Office with tea from Crepes Tea House in West Springfield.
This week Team Velis held office hours in Easthampton and Holyoke. Due to the holidays, there will be no official office hours next week. However, if you are in need of assistance or would like to connect with our team please do not hesitate to contact us by email,  john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   
Happy Holidays!
Team Velis