City Councilor Michael S. McGonagle says the fundraiser for the Veterans’ Alliance of Greater Haverhill was a success. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News)
A local veterans’ assistance group raised tens of thousands of dollars through a pre-election breakfast fundraiser over the weekend.
On Sunday, Nov. 4, the Veteran’s Alliance of Greater Haverhill hosted the fundraiser at Amvets Post 147. According to City Councilor Michael S. McGonagle, the fundraiser raised roughly $24,000 and saw around 150 people attend. Included were Mayor James J. Fiorentini, Rep. Andy Vargas, Rep. Diana DiZoglio, congressional candidates Lori Trahan and Rick Green and most of the city council. Amongst the festivities was a large wooden American flag assembled by major sponsors of the event.
McGonagle, who is also the founder of the veterans’ alliance, said the group was created last year to help Haverhill’s various veteran’s groups raise money after they were prohibited from asking for donations on public streets. He said these groups raised $7,500 annually in years prior, while the veterans’ alliance managed to raise $20,000 last year alone. $12,000 of those funds have gone to the Korean War Memorial Maintenance Fund and Disabled Veterans Chapter 20, as well as individual veterans throughout Haverhill in need of assistance.
“Basically, what we are is a pool of money to help these organizations do the work that they do. It’s hard for them to generate money, so that’s why we created the Veterans’ Alliance,” McGonagle said.
McGonagle went on to say how great the success of the veterans’ alliance is and how thankful he is for the support it has received.
“We’re so lucky to have such a great support system with all the businesses and individual families that have supported us. It’s really a great thing for veterans and their families,” McGonagle said.