Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Colonel Kerry Gilpin and Sheriff Nick Cocchi continued their tradition of helping feed those in need this holiday season. This year Mayor Sarno joined with these law enforcement leaders as they distributed turkeys, hams, canned goods and other toys today, Wednesday December 22 at the Springfield Police Training Facility on Page Blvd.
Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said, “This holiday season along with Retired Colonel Gilpin, Sheriff Cocchi and now Mayor Sarno we will continue this tradition of helping families in need. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of Springfield’s own Big Y and Pekarski Sausage. We can’t thank them enough.”
“As this pandemic drags on, a lot of families are in a dangerous place when it comes to being able to provide for themselves and their loved ones,” said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. “We appreciate Big Y and the other community partners for stepping up to help our neighbors in need this holiday season. It’s one thing to say you’re invested in the community, and it’s another thing to show it.”
“I am truly honored to team up with Mayor Sarno, Sheriff Cocchi and Commissioner Clapprood to give back to our community during this holiday season,” said Kerry Gilpin, partner at Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting and retired Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police. “I appreciate Big Y and Michael Pekarski at Pekarski Sausage in South Deerfield for their generosity to help make this happen. Their willingness to put people ahead of profits will truly make a difference for so many local families and that’s what the holidays should be about.”
Mayor Sarno states, “Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood and I want to again thank Big Y President Charlie D’Amour and Pekarski Sausage for their very generous and heartfelt donation so that we can provide a nice Christmas dinner for those families in need this holiday season. I am proud to join with Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, retired Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Big Y President Charlie D’Amour and all of our brave and dedicated public safety officers and officials as we continue this special holiday tradition. It was really heartwarming to see all the happy faces and comments from a family mention that thanks to this very generous event they’ll have a nice warm Christmas meal and toys for their children – a really good Christmas now! A senior citizen couple said thank you for picking them and that they really appreciate the outreach. This partnership is all about making for a joyous holiday season and continuing to give back to our Springfield community. Again, I am very appreciative for all the sponsors who helped to make this happen. Thank you!”
This holiday meal was made possible by the generosity of Springfield’s own Big Y and President Charlie D’Amour and Michael Pekarski at Pekarski Sausage in South Deerfield. The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. also generously donated toys to be distributed to families with children for Christmas.
