AGAWAM  –  The Friends of the Elm-Belcher Masonic Lodge in Agawam are finding a unique way to host a fundraiser to raise funds for Wreaths Across America in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

East Longmeadow resident Tony Leroux, who serves as co-chair, said he first began holding the community dinner fundraisers five years ago. “I was the master of my lodge and wanted to do a community event,” he said.

This, Leroux explained, is what led to him learning about Wreaths Across America, what they do and their mission. The organization honors and recognizes fallen veterans by raising funds each year to place handmade wreaths on graves of veterans in national cemeteries across the country. Leroux said it was after he attended his first wreath laying at  Agawam’s own national cemetery, the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Main Street, that he first became interested in the organization.

“As a veteran I had attended my first wreath laying. I was intrigued about how they get the wreaths,” he said. Leroux said he found out that “people raise money,” which is in turn donated to the organization so they can purchase wreaths. From there, he said he started to think of how to raise money for wreaths that would go directly to the national cemetery in town.

The very first dinner fundraiser he organized, “started with about 80 people,” he recalled. He said the spaghetti dinner “raised money for about 80 wreaths.” However, he said he was persistent and tried again the following year. Leroux said it’s “just blossomed ever since.”

The dinner fundraiser, now in its fifth year, will take a slightly different format than in years past due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Leroux said in previous years he’d partnered with the Agawam Lion’s Club. However, they weren’t able to do that this year. They also weren’t able to host the traditional sit down dinner.

This year, Leroux said, the dinner will be a drive up event. At the time of press tickets for the event were nearly sold out, but Leroux added that tickets would not be sold past Sept. 21 so organizers had time to purchase and prepare the correct amount of food needed.

“People will drive up to the lodge, runners will get their tickets, we’ll go in and put a meal together for them, and take it out to the car for them,” he said. Leroux said no one would be exiting their car, keeping it safe for those picking up and distributing food. The dinner will consist of brisket, chicken, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and a roll. Tickets were $20 regularly, but $15 for veterans.

In addition to serving people who purchased tickets, Leroux said this year he’d received a donation from an generous individual, who wished to remain anonymous, to pay for enough meals to serve 50 homeless veterans at Solider On, an organization in Feeding Hills dedicated to providing assistance to veterans.

Additionally, both the food and use of the space were donated, ensuring 100 percent of the profits from the dinner contributes toward the cause.

Leroux said he’s hoping this year will be successful and they’re able to raise enough money to reach their goal of 550 wreaths for the Agawam cemetery. He’s especially hopeful reach to the goal because it’s his last year hosting the fundraiser, as he’s retiring and moving South.

He said those wishing to support the fundraiser, but weren’t able to buy tickets to the dinner, can purchase a wreath online at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/16181/overview/?relatedId=0. Additionally, people could also mail a check directly to PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623. However, he said it was important to write MA0125 and MASCVA158307 in the memo line to ensure the donation was specifically for wreaths at the local cemetery. Those wishing to mail checks can also download and print the following form from Wreaths Across America: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/assets/downloads/2018-Wreath-Sponsorship-Form-updated.docx.pdf.

He said those who simply wish to donate money to him directly can do so at the event on 53 River St. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Leroux said he would be standing out front collecting donations from those who wished to contribute to the cause. He said at the time of press, money had been raised from about 2,700 wreaths, however, a total of 8,200 wreaths were needed to ensure each grave would have a wreath laid on it.

More information about Wreaths Across America can be found at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/16181/overview/?relatedId=0.

Ultimately, Leroux expressed his gratitude and thankfulness towards donors, those who donated, the Friends of the Elm-Belcher Masonic Lodge and everyone involved in making the dinner a success over the years. “I just started a small community event and wanted to see it grow and grow,” he said.