Marchers arrive at the celebration at Post 152 on Sunday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dozens of American Legion members from Sutton marched their way through downtown North Adams on Sunday participating in the 100 Miles For Hope Walk.
The Sutton American Legion Post 414 veterans and Boy Scouts concluded their walk through the city at a celebration hosted by American Legion Post 125.
"It is just a big party to welcome them into the city," Post 125 Commander Mitchel Keil said. "We walked out to them last year because it is 100 miles from our post to their post, so it is our turn to host the reception."
What started out as a program to encourage fitness and wellness, became a national American Legion fundraising drive. Pledges and donations are collected by Legionnaires participating in the relay-style walk to benefit the National American Legions Veterans and Children Fund.
"It is a great way to build up that camaraderie that everyone is looking for, and it is easier to raise money when we work together," Keil said.
Keil said Post 414 and Post 125 are sister Legions.
Bill Halene, 414 past commander, added that families of servicemen and -women can tap this fund if they are in need. Also, active Coast Guard members can request money from the fund if the government shuts down.
"One Legion can do a lot for the community, and that is great," he said. "But when you start connecting with other Legions, you can just get more people involved because you have different outlooks from different sides of the state."
He said they have raised more than $2,000 in this campaign. Twenty-seven walkers started the trip with 17 making the final march into North Adams.
Walkers lined up on Ashland Street and made their way down Main Street after rendezvousing with Post 125 members. The American Legion Riders and a float from the Adams Post 160 led the convoy with its police escort. They swung a left down American Legion Drive terminating at Post 125.
Upon arrival, walkers were served hot food and serenaded by country music tribute band WailOn, which performed from a stage set up in the parking lot. Indoors, there were raffles.
"I am impressed we did a little something for them, but they kicked up to the next level," Hallene said.
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Big Y Investigates Conn. Skimmer Incident
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y supermarket discovered skimmers in two of its Connecticut stores last month.
In a press release on Monday, the grocery chain said an unknown individual attached a skimming device to one single terminal in each of its Naugatuck and Plainville locations. The skimmers were found on June 29.
Skimmers are devices that are illegally installed over or inside card readers at places like convenience stores, fuel pumps and ATMs to steal information off the cards. The FBI estimates that skimming costs consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion a year.
"We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, and we notified and are working with law enforcement. We have inspected all of our terminals, and continue to do so. If we learn that any particular customer's information was compromised, we will promptly notify them and provide them with additional information so that they can take steps to protect themselves," according to Jade Rivera- McFarlin, Big Y's manager of communications.
"As a best practice, customers should always review their bank and credit card statements for any signs of fraudulent activity and, if they have any questions or concerns, contact their bank or credit card company directly."
Today, the backyard sport has a presence on national television, merchandise ranging from boards to customized beanbags and partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and Special Olympics.
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The 127,626 square-foot retail center was sold on June 4 for $2.6 million to Guru Realty LLC of Mendon, with listed managers Nitant Raval of Mendon and Chirag Patel of Dalton.
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