Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Gilroy VFW Post 6309 celebrates 75 years helping local veterans

Al Gagliardi, 97, served in World War II and helped establish the local VFW post, now known as the John A. Berri Post 6309

Photo courtesy Gagliardi family
From left: Betty Gagliardi, Al Gagliardi and VFW Commander Al Alciati.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The Gilroy Veterans of Foreign Wars celebrates its 75th anniversary and honor the founding commander and World War II veteran Al Gagliardi.

Founded in 1946, VFW Post 6309 is a patriotic veterans’ organization that fosters camaraderie among veterans of overseas conflicts. Its mission is to serve the veterans and the community and to advocate on behalf of all veterans.

“It’s an honor to serve our country and community,” said VFW Post 6309 Commander Al Alciati, who was presented with the Diamond Anniversary Award Citation from the state VFW commander at a small ceremony March 15. “It’s a testament to all of our veterans that through the VFW we have continued to serve for 75 years.”

One veteran who has served his country and community longer than most is Gagliardi, 97. He served in World War II and helped establish the local VFW post, now known as the John A. Berri Post 6309. Gagliardi remains an active member today. Berri was the first Gilroyan to give his life in the defense of his country during World War II.

Congratulations to all at our South Valley VFW Post. And thank you, veterans, for your service.

In case you haven’t heard, the Gilroy Farmers Market has relocated to the Gilroy Premium Outlets from its previous location at Miller Avenue. The market is now next to the In-N-Out in Parking Lot C of the shopping complex and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Hope to see you there.

It’s the time of year when students are taking SAT tests and the Better Business Bureau is alerting parents to a new scam trying to take advantage of the process. Scammers — with access to kids’ names and school information — are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT prep materials.

How the scam works

You get an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from the College Board, the company responsible for SAT tests, or another educational organization. The caller claims to be confirming your address, so they can send test prep materials, such as books, CDs, or videos, that your child requested at school. It seems so believable. Several victims reported to the BBB that the caller even had their child’s name, phone number, and/or school information.

Of course, there’s a catch. The caller needs you to pay a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials. They claim it will be refunded when the materials are returned.

Unfortunately, if you provide your address and credit card details, the materials will never arrive, and your deposit will never be refunded. Scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.

To avoid being scammed, always be wary of unsolicited callers, double check with your child, understand the College Board’s practices, and use your credit card instead of cash, gift cards, or debit cards when possible.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Poonam Chabra

Poonam Chabra, the executive director of a humanitarian initiative Indian Association of South Santa Clara County — Circle of Giving, told us the group has spent the past year helping members of our community struggling during the pandemic.

“Circle of Giving has already given back through food and clothing donation, care packages for the homeless, snack bags for migrant farm workers, and now launching a free tutoring program for the underserved communities,” she said. “The goal is to serve the most vulnerable in our community.”

If you want to help make a difference, email [email protected] or call (408) 310-3515.

Do you have a spare room and want to help a college student? Attend a free webinar at 4 p.m. March 17 to find out how you can provide housing to a Gavilan College student. Gavilan College and Catholic Charities are partnering to house local college students. Through this partnership, the House Sharing Program will work with Gavilan College students and home providers within the community to find the best housing match for each individual.

To learn more, visit www.cccconfer.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErdOqorTouGNUxVGkI5i6dXA6joLiEyaxg

Robert Airoldi is the editor of Gilroy Life. Reach him at [email protected].