<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1W2FVt_1Gusmxvt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1W2FVt_1Gusmxvt00" width="689" height="919" ></figure>A photo from the 2025 Vet Fest in Easthampton.EASTHAMPTON — Veterans embody duty and honor. They put their lives on the line for this country, and yet some face mental health barriers, loneliness and limited resources.For four years, the Easthampton Coalition for Veterans Wellness has aimed to assuage those obstacles, helping veterans connect with other veterans, reduce isolation and decrease loneliness.It’s a group of community members, city employees, and Veterans Affairs employees who work together to support veterans in Easthampton and surrounding areas. They host a monthly free lunch on the first Wednesday of the month for veterans, families, and friends, and they spearhead an annual Vet Fest, a family picnic for veterans and their loved ones with games, entertainment and veteran resources. The group also does community service projects such as fall cleanups and school supply drives.“I’d like to think that we created a space and an opportunity for veterans to feel that they are part of the Easthampton community,” said founding member and secretary Emma Reilly. “I love working with members of the community who are volunteering their time on this coalition. We have a group of incredible veterans that show up month after month because they simply care so much about giving back to their fellow service members and veterans. I’m in awe of them continuously.”The coalition began in the fall of 2022. At the time, coalition board member/volunteer Liz Plouffe was working as the community social worker for Easthampton in the Public Health Department. Her colleague at the VA reached out, and they met with the previous Easthampton veterans service officer, Michael Slater, and Reilly, the Easthampton mental health and wellness coordinator. Their group of four started talking about what they were seeing as needs for local veterans, what was working well in other communities, and what they might want to do to bring people together in and around Easthampton.From there, the idea and the group’s growth really took off. It has since expanded to include other veterans and their families, community members, city employees, the VA, the Vet Center, Building Bridges and more. The coalition said it has a wonderful relationship with the Easthampton Congregational Church, where they host monthly lunches; Big E’s Supermarket, which has supported them from the beginning; and Operation Veteran Vacation, their partner organization for Vet Fest.The coalition officially became a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2025 which allows them to expand even more. The mission, however, has remained the same, which Plouffe said is really important to all of them.“Advocacy for veteran mental health and wellness is absolutely essential,” Plouffe said. “We have seen the difference that connection and support can make just in these past few years. We are all grateful to be able to bring something to the local area to support our veterans and their loved ones.”Vice Chair Thomas Geryk works with veterans and families daily and sees how helpful the coalition is. As Easthampton’s veteran service officer, he says it has been an excellent tool for connecting with veterans and providing the services they need to access mental health treatment, benefits and resources they otherwise wouldn’t know about.“The coalition has been successful in building relationships with veterans and the community as a whole,” said Geryk. “It’s great to see the camaraderie among our local veterans. I feel very fortunate that the coalition created an environment that is welcoming to all veterans.”The coalition’s next goal is to identify what else they can do to give back and support the veteran community. They’re continuing to connect with veterans in the area and with the various businesses that have been generous to the city of Easthampton. They regularly reach out to the community for support, trying to spread their message and hopefully open more eyes to who they are and what they do.“This group has been such an honor to be a part of,” said Plouffe. “When we talk about where it started and where we are now just four years later, it really shows how much we all care about this mission.”She added, “I think it says a lot that many of us have had changes in our jobs or life responsibilities, but we continue to be here because we care so much about what has been created and the amazing connections we have made with veterans and their loved ones.”For more information, visit veteranwellnesseasthampton.org.The website has a donation page for those who are able, and your support will help them continue their mission.You can also email admin@veteranwellnesseasthampton.org and follow them on Facebook. This month only, their next veterans’ lunch will be on Nov. 18 at noon at the Easthampton Congregational Church. The Pioneer Valley Coalition for Suicide Prevention is sponsoring it.</div></body>

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EASTHAMPTON — Veterans embody duty and honor. They put their lives on the line for this country, and yet some face mental health barriers, loneliness and limited resources. For four years, the Easthampton Coalition for Veterans Wellness has aimed to assuage those obstacles, helping veterans connect with other veterans, reduce isolation and decrease loneliness.

Easthampton coalition aids veterans with events and resources

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EASTHAMPTON — Veterans embody duty and honor. They put their lives on the line for this country, and yet some face mental health barriers, loneliness and l

Easthampton coalition aids veterans with events and resources

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