VOLUNTEER
SPOTLIGHTS
Beginning in 2025, a volunteer is chosen to be "Spotlighted" every March and September. These volunteers are individuals who go above and beyond to help the Friends of the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery at Agawam work toward our mission to "To honor those who have served, to comfort their families and to enhance their eternal resting places. To assist in observances such as: Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Wreaths Across America and other such activities. To support and improve public awareness of the cemetery. To assist in providing financial resources through fund raising activities."
Meet our Spotlighted Volunteers below:
March 2026 - Marvin
Marvin is in our Volunteer Spotlight for March 2026!
Marvin is not only serving on the Board of Directors for The Friends of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam but also volunteers at most of the events. Marvin has also been a chapel and office volunteer at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam since 2003 and a member of the Firing Detail since 2013. In fact, Marvin has been present for over 12,000 interment ceremonies!
On November 26, 2022 Marvin was presented the Game Changer Award by the Springfield Thunderbirds for his service as a cemetery volunteer.
On November 11, 2024 Governor Maura Healey presented Marvin with the Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. Valor Award for his work, devotion, and commitment to the veterans community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hats off to Marvin for the work he does for the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam and The Friends!
When and how did you get involved with the cemetery?
After retiring in February 2001, I searched for other ways to keep busy (there is only so many times I can paint the living room!). In March 2023, I read an article in the Springfield newspaper that the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam was conducting an Adult Military/Veteran Enrichment Program one day a week for 8 weeks and I knew I wanted to participate. After completing the course, I became a volunteer at the cemetery assisting in the Chapel. Currently I assist in the Chapel on Tuesdays and Volunteer Firing Detail on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I have been a part of 12,000 committal services at the cemetery.
What are your activities with The Friends and what do they involve?
In 2016 I was asked to become a member of The Friend's organization. Currently I oversee merchandise for The Friends and attend and volunteer at as many fundraisers and activities as possible.
What’s the most rewarding part about volunteering for The Friends and the cemetery?
What is the most rewarding for me is working with the many great people, past and present in The Friends organization, cemetery staff, funeral directors and other volunteers.
How does The Friends make our community a better place?
The Friends is helping make the cemetery a better place and brings people in the community together at the events. It is an honor to assist in making the cemetery the final resting place for our veterans, their spouses and dependent children.
See Marvin’s full bio at:https://www.agawamfriends.org/marvin-h
September 2025
- Diane
Tell us about the first time you volunteered with the Friends.
I joined the Friends in 2019 and volunteered for the Wreaths Across America Event.
How does volunteering with the Friends make you feel?
Volunteering with the Friends makes me proud to honor and preserve the memory of veterans who have served our country.
Tell us about one experience you’ve had while volunteering for the Friends that you’ll never forget.
Working on the Tri-fold! It gave me the opportunity to work with a team of people who provided the input that made the first printing of the Tri-fold possible! Great things can be accomplished when people come together toward a common goal!
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering with the Friends?
Find out what we’re all about. Check out our Tri-fold - Read our Mission Statement, our history and about our projects with the cemetery. Come to a meeting. Finally visit the cemetery and experience its beauty, peace and above all, how all veterans are honored and remembered. It’s truly special!
There are a lot of nonprofits out there- what is so special about the Friends?
What is so special to me is our mission! It’s not just a bunch of words on paper. It’s real, in our hearts and demonstrated by the work we do in cooperation with the cemetery!
March 2025 - Tiffany
When and how did you get involved with this organization?
My employer, Empower, offers a ton of volunteer opportunities. I was scrolling our intraweb to see if any volunteer opportunities piqued my interest and that were in my area. (Western MA/ CT)
What are your activities and what do they involve?
I am a people person, a girl’s girl. I love listening to others, talking to others, and encouraging others. Pretty much any and everything I do revolves around this.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
It sometimes feels selfish of me to volunteer because it MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD! I do it for the ‘feel goods’. I do it for the connections. I love making connections with people whom I never would have met outside of volunteering.
What motivates you to stay involved?
The people. People motivate me to want to be a better human. A helpful and loving human.
What have you learned through volunteering?
We were created to have community. We were created to fellowship, and this is exactly what volunteering curates. I have learned everyone has their own story and each is meant to be shared. I’m reminded that caring is sharing, and we make more of an impact TOGETHER.