Senator John Velis

10/22/2026

I had a great time reading & visiting with everyone at Head Start in Agawam! Thanks to the staff for all you do for our families and little ones.

We were delighted to welcome Senator John Velis to our Community Action Pioneer Valley Head Start & Early Learning Profram’s Agawam site on Friday, October 16. During his visit, he read a special story, Pete the Cat, to the children, who had a wonderful time. He also took time to meet with staff to discuss the needs of Head Start. One staff member, a former Head Start parent, shared his personal journey and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to now work for the program. Senator Velis has been a true champion for Head Start, and we are grateful for his continued support.

10/21/2026

🎃 I’m excited to host a free Pumpkin Giveaway at Stanley Park in Westfield on Saturday, October 24, from 12–2 p.m.

Bring the family, stop by the Stanley Park Children’s Pavilion, and pick up a sugar pumpkin to kick off the fall season. This is a drop-in event, so feel free to come by anytime between noon and 2 p.m.

📍 Stanley Park Children’s Pavilion, Westfield
📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 12–2 p.m.

Sugar pumpkins are available with registration to the first 100 people, so be sure to sign up ahead of time using the link below. I look forward to seeing everyone!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=a36UCyb_E0uuHFc8Z1DIiJEiv9knpFxAo2oHkbRrLxZUNURONlU5Nlg3Tjg4TVdETlRNUklGRzc1Qi4u

10/21/2026

Huge congratulations to Giovanni Santaniello from Westfield High School, who presented today at the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair’s State House Day!

Giovanni did an excellent job of presenting his science fair project, “Mycoremediation Employing Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus to Degrade Plastics.”

Always great to see our local students asking big questions, thinking outside the box, and finding new ways to tackle real-world challenges. Keep it up, Giovanni!

10/20/2026

I’m pleased to share that five police departments in our district will receive over $218,000 through the State-Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, helping make our roads safer for everyone.

Awards include:
🚔 Chicopee Police Department: $44,214
🚔 Easthampton Police Department: $30,360
🚔 Holyoke Police Department: $45,000
🚔 West Springfield Police Department: $45,000
🚔 Westfield Police Department: $53,630

Thank you to our local police departments for their work on traffic safety, and to the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security for investing in our communities.

10/19/2026

Saturday’s Magic for Maddie 5K and Carnival in Holyoke was a great reminder of what community is all about.

No family should have to worry about paying the bills while their child is fighting cancer. Families should be able to focus on their child and being there for them during the hardest moments of their lives. That’s why the work Magic for Maddie does is so important.

Maddie’s family has turned an unimaginable loss into something that is making a real difference for families right here in Western Massachusetts. Through financial assistance and pediatric cancer research, they’re helping families navigate incredibly difficult circumstances while keeping Maddie’s memory alive.

In the FY’27 budget, I was proud to help secure $20,000 in state funding to support the foundation’s work, and I’m grateful to the Schmidt family and everyone at Magic for Maddie for the difference they continue to make in our community.

10/19/2026

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Below is my update for the past week ⬇️

This week, Team Velis will be holding office hours at the Easthampton Council On Aging tomorrow from 10:30am to 11:30am and again on Wednesday at the Holyoke Council on Aging from 10:00am to 11:00am.

Hi everyone,  I can’t believe we’re already halfway through October! I hope everyone has been enjoying the crisp fall weather and getting the chance to take in the beautiful foliage throughout…

10/16/2026

Earlier today I had the pleasure of speaking with students at UMass Amherst’s Emerging Leaders for the Common Good event at the Springfield Center.

I always enjoy the opportunity to share my journey in public service, hear students’ perspectives, and connect with young people who are thinking about how they can make a difference in their communities.

Thank you to UMass Amherst for bringing us together, and to the students for such a great conversation!

10/16/2026

Holyoke has so much history to share, and Doors Open Holyoke is a great opportunity to experience it firsthand.

I’m happy to partner with Representative Pat Duffy The Fifth Hampden to sponsor free rides on the Merry-Go-Round this Saturday, October 17, as part of this great community event.
There’s a lot to explore throughout the city, and I hope families take the opportunity to get out, visit some local landmarks, and enjoy everything Holyoke has to offer.

📍 Merry-Go-Round, 221 Appleton Street
🎠 Free rides from 12–3 PM

Doors Open Holyoke is free and open to all ages, with activities happening at locations across the city. Hope to see you there!

10/15/2026

Congratulations to Holyoke Police Officer Steven Negron on receiving the Trooper George L. Hanna Medal of Honor, the highest honor for police bravery in Massachusetts. Officer Negron demonstrated tremendous courage in the line of duty, and I’m glad to see his actions recognized at the state level.

It was great to celebrate this well-deserved recognition at the State House alongside Chief Brian Keenan, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, Representative Duffy The Fifth Hampden and other members of the Holyoke Police Department. Thank you to Officer Negron and all our law enforcement officers who put themselves on the line to protect our communities.