Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween. This past week has been another busy one in our district and at the State House, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you.
On Monday, I had a blast calling Bingo at the Agawam Council on Aging. Visiting our local senior centers is always a great time but if I must admit calling BINGO continues to be one of my favorite activities to participate in. Thank you to Director Cindy Sullivan for inviting me to help call a few games!
I was over at the State House on Tuesday to help convene the first meeting of the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. I am beyond grateful to the Senate President for entrusting me to lead this commission during a time when our Jewish friends and neighbors are enduring such disturbing acts of hate in our Commonwealth. Last year, Massachusetts saw 440 individual acts of antisemitism across our state including acts of vandalism, harassment, and physical assault targeting Jewish children, adults, and institutions. Simply put- there is no room for hate of any kind in Massachusetts. Over the next year the Special Commission will be making its way across the state to meet with those with subject knowledge expertise and to hear from community members on how we can reverse these alarming numbers.
On Friday, I visited Holyoke Medical Center to present a citation to Maria Quinn, whom I had the honor of nominating for the Latino Excellence Awards. Maria is the Director of the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support Services at Holyoke Medical Center, where she leads a dedicated team in providing vital support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Maria’s leadership and innovative strategies are helping to break down barriers and create a supportive environment for those in recovery. I am proud to celebrate her work and the difference she is making in our community.
I also want to give a heartfelt congratulations to Cheryl Richards, Brian Richards, and Bill Westerlind who all received the Volunteer of the Year Award for their incredible dedication to our community. Cheryl and Brian have been serving a monthly meal at the Westfield Soup Kitchen for the past 25 years and Bill helps leads the incredible programs with Artworks of Westfield. All of their commitment to bettering our community is a true testament to the spirit of service. It was a privilege to share a citation with them and to recognize all the other remarkable volunteers who were nominated.
This week my office hosted office hours in Westfield and Southampton; Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday November 4th from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
John Velis