Reach, a club member for 60-plus years, was a founder of the community music series at the First Congregational Church of Westfield and founder of the Garden Club and Junior Volunteer Service Corps.
Stanley Park Board of Directors member Patricia Reach (here with board President Jeff Glaze at the 2010 Black Squirrel Ball) will be honored by the Westfield Woman's Club with its 2011 Volunteer Service Award.WESTFIELD – Patricia Reach has made a life of community service and volunteerism, and though her many contributions will be honored by the Westfield Woman’s Club, she says she has never been motivated by recognition but rather by a sense of duty.
“I think it’s nice to do your part in the community and help to make it a better place,” said Reach, who now makes her home in Longmeadow.
Reach has been a member of the Westfield Woman’s Club for more than 60 years, and on Thursday, the club will honor her with its annual Volunteer Service Award during a ceremony at the 14th annual garden tea at Stanley Park.
Club president Josephine Herrick describes Reach as “a pioneer,” and said she has made a positive impact on the community with her selfless work and dedication to Westfield and its residents.
“She has been a constant community activist and contributor including multi-year board membership stints at the YMCA, Athenaeum and Stanley Park, where she most recently spearheaded the building of the popular playground and a broader community volunteer effort throughout the park,” she said.
Reach’s links to the park make it an ideal location for presentation of the award, she said.
Herrick also noted that Reach was a founder of the ongoing community music series at the First Congregational Church of Westfield and founder of the Garden Club and Junior Volunteer Service Corps.
She also credits Reach with being the force behind the Golden Age organization in Westfield, known today as the Senior Center.
For Reach, though, who was also honored by the Stanley Park Board of Directors with the President’s Award during a presentation at last year’s Black Squirrel Ball, volunteerism and being a member of the Westfield Woman’s Club are just a natural part of being a good member of the community.
“The woman’s club is wonderful - a grand opportunity to help the community,” she said. “It’s just a nice way to make new friends.”
As for the recognition of being honored by the club, Reach had little to say, commenting only that she was “embarrassed talking about myself.
“I don’t do it for the recognition, I do it for the community.”
Reach moved to Westfield from Dalton after World War II with her late husband, Milton B. Reach, who was a longtime reporter for the Springfield Newspapers.
“She was also a pioneer in the business world where her 50-year gift design, manufacturing and distribution business provided employment for hundreds of area families at a time when few opportunities for women with children at home existed,” Herrick said.
After retirement, her energetic return to volunteer community service has kept her connected to the many organizations and friends made over more than 60 years in the Pioneer Valley, Herrick added.
The Westfield Woman’s Club tea will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The fund-raiser features the traditional hat parade for which prizes are awarded in the vintage, outrageous, creative, colorful, elegant, best in show and best child’s hat categories.
Tickets to the event are available for $15 by reservation. For more information, call (413) 568-8994.