Westwood Resident Leading Veterans and First Responders Fundraiser

Three years ago, Westwood resident Denise Hebert and her close friend Tracy Lynskey decided they needed to do something in response to veteran and first responder suicide. Lynskey opened her home to a handful of crafters and direct sales consultants to raise money and the first “Holiday Craft Fair” was born. The event has more than quadrupled in size and this year will be held at Canton’s Irish Cultural Center on New Boston Drive on Saturday, November 15thfrom 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.

“We began as a heartfelt fundraiser for a friend’s son who died by suicide upon returning from active duty in Iraq,” said Lynskey. “We were just a group of friends getting together to try and make something positive out of a tragedy to help the family. As we learned about veterans’ services that were inaccessible to him after his years of service, we became committed to doing more for our men and women in the armed services.”

Money raised will benefit 22Mohawks, a Sharon-based organization dedicated to reducing veteran and first responder suicide by helping them find purpose and community. 22Mohawks offers support though mental fitness classes, outreach and community events. 22Mohawk Pups has placed over 200 trained dogs with veterans and first responders.

This year’s event will include almost 60 different crafters and vendors. Table fees paid by these individuals along with donations will go directly to 22Mohawk and other non-profit organizations with the same mission.

"This is an important cause to me personally because my father is a Vietnam veteran and my husband is a retired lieutenant of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department,” said co-founder Denise Hebert. “I have seen the stress and the emotional toll it takes on a person with little to no support from the government. The resources are not sufficient to handle the number of people in need. We have seen young men commit suicide due to the trauma of what they bring back from overseas.”

The women, who have been friends for decades, hope to raise $5,000 this year.

Thanks to Darcie Fisher for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.