Newton Mayor to Celebrate Grand Opening of Veterans Service Center

Newton Mayor Setti Warren will welcome a long list of special guests, athletes and local celebrities for a grand opening celebration at Newton's Veterans Service Center next week.

The grand opening celebration and veterans appreciation event will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 440. 

The "first of its kind" Veterans Service Center aims to give veterans of all generations and branches of service a "one-stop location" for information on education, job opportunities, housing, childcare, taxes, finances and health advice.

The center will also offer a place for local vets to network and socialize.

Warren and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray held a soft opening for the center on March 13, which featured a job fair for local veterans. 

The May 7 family-friendly grand opening event will include appearances from Boston Celtics and New England Patriots players as well as comedians Steve Sweeney and Rob Steen. A full list of events is included below:

• "Hoops for Our Troops" challenge; play basketball with Celtics legends

• Appearances by former New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Joe Andruzzi, and current Patriot Rob Ninkovich; get autographs, photos and see the Super Bowl rings

• Comedy from Steve Sweeney and Rob Steen

• Food and beverages courtesy of Cabot's Ice Cream, Whole Foods and Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

• Emceed by Matt Siegel of KISS 108's "Matty in the Morning" show

Although the event is free, residents are encouraged to bring donations for The One Fund Boston, which will support victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

For more information on the center, call 617-796-1420. Additional details on the grand opening celebration are included in .pdf flyer above.