Support Chapter Valentines for Veterans Efforts
For the fourteenth year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter is organizing efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program in January and early February 2026. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans.
We encourage Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students to participate in this year’s event. In 2025, participants created 1,413 cards and artwork and provided them to two VA hospitals in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire. For more information regarding how to participate in Valentines for Veterans 2026, please reach out to bostonchapteraga@gmail.com.
AGA Boston Chapter Annual Holiday Party
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the AGA Boston Chapter recently gathered in Boston for a festive and engaging event filled with networking, learning, and holiday cheer.
William McNamara, Comptroller of Massachusetts, shared a warm thank you to the AGA Boston Chapter for its continued commitment to excellence in government accountability. Incoming Chapter President Aprel McCabe and current President Patrick Sullivan kicked things off with a warm welcome, setting the vibe for a fun and engaging gathering.
Twenty members enjoyed valuable networking time followed by an insightful presentation from the Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor on the MassSave Audit, highlighting key findings and accountability practices. A delicious lunch and desserts were catered by Florina’s.
The holiday spirit was alive as Chrissy Joyal won the Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest, bringing festive fun to the event. In addition, the AGA Boston Chapter will donate $200 to Globe Santa, supporting families in need during the holidays.
This event showcased the strength of our Boston AGA community—combining professional growth, holiday celebration, and generosity.
Wreaths Across America
(Updated 12/14/2025)
THANK YOU to all who have donated! To date, the AGA Boston Chapter has collected 48 of 50 wreaths for this year’s drive! We appreciate your support!
The Chapter is again participating in the Wreaths Across America program this year, which aims to remember and honor fallen veterans by placing wreaths on their graves. This year, the event is scheduled for December 13, 2025, and you can help by sponsoring a wreath or volunteering!
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location ID: MANCBO
Location Name: Massachusetts National Cemetery of Massachusetts in Bourne, MA
Our group is a $5 Forward plan. This means for every wreath sponsored the location will receive $5 towards another wreath. The wreaths are $17 each.
Photo Courtesy of AGA Boston Chapter
AGA Boston Chapter Completes Another Successful Valentines for Veterans Campaign
(Updated: 2/22/2025)
For the thirteenth year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter organized efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans
Volunteers, including Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students, participated in this year’s collection. Participants created 1,413 cards and artwork and provided them to two VA hospitals in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire. Chapter members organized these efforts in January and early February 2025.
Chapter members Benjamin Howe and Shana Doiron organized and contributed to this year’s effort. The Chapter would like to thank contributors George Anastos, William Muench, Christine Joyal, Patricia Jackson, Craig Hall, Debbie Howe, and Alex Wen for their efforts during this year’s campaign. The Chapter would also like to thank all the groups that participated in this year’s event and organized Valentines for Veterans’ programs in their communities.
- Hillside Middle School, Manchester, NH
- Mrs. Nicolazzo’s 3rd Grade Class, Hastings Elementary School, Westborough, MA
- Lions Club, Hopkinton, MA
- Girl Scout Troop #82358, Hopkinton, MA
- Blue Star Moms
- Williams Intermediate School in Bridgewater, MA
- Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
AGA Boston Chapter Completes Another Successful Valentines for Veterans Campaign
(Updated: 3/12/2024)
For the twelfth year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter organized efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans.
Volunteers, including Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students, participated in this year’s collection. Participants created 1,160 cards and artwork and provided them to three VA hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Participants also provided cards to the Massachusetts Veterans Home in Chelsea, MA. Chapter members organized these efforts in January and early February 2024.
Chapter members Shana Doiron and Benjamin Howe organized this year’s effort. The Chapter would like to thank contributors Marcia Luciano, Shana Doiron, William Muench, Debbie Howe, Steven Croteau, and Vanessa Barker for their efforts during this year’s campaign. The Chapter would also like to thank all the groups that participated in this year’s event and organized Valentines for Veterans’ programs in their communities.
- Hillside Middle School, Manchester, NH
- Edmund Hatch Bennett Elementary School, Taunton, MA
- 4th Grade Students, Mill Pond School, Westborough, MA
- Girl Scout Troop 65135, Westborough, MA
- Lions Club, Hopkinton, MA
- Girl Scout Troop #82358, Hopkinton, MA
- Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General
Support Chapter Valentines for Veterans Efforts
(Updated: 12/13/2023)
For the twelfth year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter is organizing efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program in January and early February 2024. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans.
We encourage Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students to participate in this year’s event. In 2023, the Chapter created more than 1,170 cards and artwork and provided them to three VA hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
For more information regarding how to participate in Valentines for Veterans 2024, please reach out to Shana Doiron at shana.doiron@claconnect.com.
Annual Holiday Luncheon
On Wednesday December 6th, 2023 the AGA Boston Chapter hosted the annual holiday luncheon at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Boston. Over thirty members and non-members gathered for a delicious luncheon and to raise funds for Globe Santa. In addition, Jim Kreiser, Principal at CLA, provided an IT update where we learned about current trends in cybersecurity breaches.
Thank you all those who attended and helped raise money for a great cause! It was great to be in person again and network with our colleagues.
Cradles to Crayons Event, November 10
(Updated: 12/1/2023)
The AGA Boston Chapter spent the morning of November 10th at Cradles to Crayons in Newton, Massachusetts. Cradles to Crayons is a not-for-profit organization that provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. The organization supplies clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge.
The team cleaned and sorted over 200 pairs of sneakers for children in need.
Thank you to AGA Boston Chapter members Shana Doiron, Rachel Cullity, Kaylee Pacheco, David Godin, George Anastos and Amanda Mom and to our other volunteers Alex Wen and Sophie Doiron for spending the morning helping the local community!
AGA Boston Chapter Completes Another Successful Valentines for Veterans Campaign
(Updated: 2/13/2023)
For the eleventh year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter organized efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans.
Volunteers, including Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students, participated in this year’s collection. Participants created more than 1,170 cards and artwork and provided them to three VA hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Chapter members organized these efforts in January and early February 2023.
Chapter member Benjamin Howe organized this year’s effort. The Chapter would like to thank contributors Marcia Luciano, Shana Doiron, William Muench, Debbie Howe, and Vanessa Barker for their efforts during this year’s campaign. The Chapter would also like to thank all the groups that participated in this year’s event and organized Valentines for Veterans’ programs in their communities.
- Hopkinton, MA Lions Club
- Hopkinton Girl Scout Troop #82358
- Our Lady of Lourdes School, Taunton, MA
- Hastings Elementary School, Westborough, MA
- Hillside Middle School, Manchester, NH
AGA Boston Chapter Holiday Party: December 1, 2022
Updated: 12/5/2022
We welcomed everyone back to Maggiano’s Little Italy in Boston for our first in-person Chapter event post-COVID. The Chapter hosted nearly 50 people at the restaurant for food and holiday fun on December 1st.
Attendees enjoyed Maggiano’s wonderful family style lunch items before getting comfortable for an engaging session with Gina Cash, Esq., Director/Legal Counsel, Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor. Ms. Cash spoke on public benefits fraud. Attendees received one CPE for their participation. We also acknowledged the service of some key Chapter members at the end of the event.
We would like to thank everyone who donated an unwrapped child’s toy to the lunch. The Chapter organized this event, in part, to support My Brother’s Keeper, a local charity.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we hope to see you all next year!
Chapter Community Service
Remembering and Paying Tribute on 9/11
Updated: 10/29/2022
In remembrance of the 21st anniversary of 9/11, the AGA Boston Chapter’s Community Service Committee challenged our members to perform an act of kindness and giving. The committee suggested these acts of kindness could include leaving a kind server a generous tip, complimenting someone, or providing an elderly person a ride.
Many of the chapter’s members accepted the challenge and performed the following acts of kindness on September 11, 2022:
- In the spirit of paying it forward, George Anastos reported buying the coffee and munchkins for the car behind him.
- Shana Doiron reported volunteering for the parent group in her town as the treasurer and spent some time putting together the budget.
- Elaine Silva reported when the elderly woman in front of me at the grocery store realized she was short $17.56, and was going to put food back, she paid for it instead.
- William Muench reported volunteering to drive a friend to the hospital for a doctor’s appointment. He also attended a meeting to help plan a town family day.
- Benjamin Howe reported picking up trash at a local sports field.
Remembering and Paying Tribute on 9/11
In remembrance to the 21st anniversary of 9/11, the Community Service Committee would like to challenge our members to partake in an act of kindness and giving.
“Acts of Kindness” suggestions:
- Venmo a friend $5 for a coffee and an inspirational message
- Hold the door for someone and say “have a nice day”
- Compliment someone
- Leave a kind server a generous tip
- Donate a pint of blood at the American Red Cross
- Provide an elderly person a ride, grocery shop or just visit
- Pay for the person in back of you at Starbucks or Dunkin’s drive-up
- Make a food donation to a shelter or find a donation box at a local grocery store
- Bake cookies for a friend or elderly person
- Volunteer at an animal shelter
- Bring treats for your co-workers at your workplace
- Check in with someone who is sick at home
- Lend a hand to someone doing yardwork
We would love to see pictures of your kindness! Please post on the AGA Boston Facebook page.
Serving dinner to the Veterans 2008 at Boston VA’s Homeless Shelter
Submitted Kimberly Rapoza
Chapter Community Service Committee in Action
Submitted by Bill Muench, CGFM, and a Chapter Committee Member
AGA Boston Chapter Completes Another Successful Valentines for Veterans Campaign
For the tenth year in a row, the AGA Boston Chapter organized efforts to support VA’s Valentines for Veterans program. The purpose of VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Program, of which the Valentines for Veterans is a part, is to pay tribute and express appreciation to our veterans.
Volunteers, including Chapter members and their families, friends, and local students, participated in this year’s collection. Participants created more than 2,650 cards and artwork and provided them to seven VA hospitals in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Chapter members organized these efforts in January and early February 2022.
AGA Boston Chapter member Marcia Luciano from the Office of the State Auditor performed this community service with students at local Massachusetts schools. She noted that her dad was a patient at the Bedford VA Medical Center, and she will never forget the wonderful care he received.
Marcia and AGA Boston Chapter member Benjamin Howe organized this year’s effort. The Chapter would like to thank contributors Shana Doiron, William Muench, and Debbie Howe. The Chapter would also like to thank all the groups that participated in this year’s event and organized Valentines for Veterans’ programs in their communities.
- LaLiberte Elementary and Merrill Elementary Schools, Raynham, MA
- Our Lady of Lourdes School, Taunton, MA
- Richardson Olmstead Elementary School, Easton, MA
- Hastings Elementary School, Westborough, MA
- Webster Elementary School, Manchester, NH
- Hopkinton, MA Lions
- Hopkinton, MA Girl Scouts Troops. Troop 65040, led by Laura Barry and Maureen Belger, organized the event. They received support from other Hopkinton Girl Scout troops.
- The Doiron Family
- The Howe Family
