The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation donated $1,000 to Veterans Acupuncture Care (VAC) of Framingham, to help provide free acupuncture treatments for members of the local veterans’ community.

VAC is a supporting clinic of Acupuncturists Without Borders, a national organization that partners with local volunteer licensed acupuncture professionals to provide free community-style acupuncture after traumatic events, to interrupt the cycle of pain and chaos, and relieve suffering.

"With the assistance from Framingham Co-operative Bank’s Charitable Foundation, VAC has continued to offer free stress-relief acupuncture treatment to active military, veterans and their families. We were also able to extend our free service to local Framingham first responders-firefighters, paramedics and police officers, many of whom are also veterans.” Christine Lee, director of the VAC said in a press release.

“Our mission is to provide ongoing care to help them heal and regain a sense of well being and wholeness, so that they, in turn, can return to their families, to civilian life, and to their communities with all the strength and dedication with which they serve their county,” said Lee.

The free walk-in clinics are held Saturdays from 10 am to noon at St. Andrew’s Church on Maple Street

According to census reports, Framingham’s veteran population alone numbers 2,500, with many more in surrounding communities, said Lee.

“We are pleased to continue to support the VAC program, said Robert P. Lamprey, chairman of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation said in a press release. It’s one way we can thank them for their service to our country.”

The donation to the Veterans Acupuncture Care was included in the total of $68,050 awarded by the bank's Charitable Foundation in support of community initiatives, in its most recent round of funding.