Florence Bank recently sponsored Cancer Connection’s 2024 Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction in Amherst with a gift of $7,000 to support the organization that serves as a haven for people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
The non-profit organization offers a wide range of free services. Founded in 2000, it will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025.
Cancer Connection programs include therapies such as massage, acupuncture and reiki; support groups for people living with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers; one-on-one emotional support with trained staff buddies who hold confidential conversations with caregivers and people with a diagnosis on Zoom or in person.
Cancer Connection serves about 350 people a month through weekly programs, special workshops and its integrative services and about 170 individual sessions through email, calls or visits.
Florence Bank also donated $5,000 to Springfield’s Tech Foundry in its 10th anniversary year, supporting its newly established Innovation Fund to help improve the organization’s digital literacy curriculum and increase its reach.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Tech Foundry hosted a staff development luncheon in the spring and hosted a casual fundraiser, called Gaming for Tech, at the Quarters in Hadley on September 19. On October 24, a fundraising gala was held at MGM. Springfield.
The goal is to raise $325,000 for the Innovation Fund to drive growth. Approximately $294,000 has been raised to date and approximately $60,000 of the $100,000 in matching funds remains.
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Allied Flooring, Painting & Budget Cabinetry Design & Sales in East Longmeadow, Agawam and Leominster recently donated to two local charities:
$10,429.86 was allocated Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. The Springfield-based program connects local students with economic education and financial literacy programs with the goal of preparing them for career and long-term financial success.
$10,429.86 went to Gandara Center in Holyoke. The program promotes the well-being of African-American and Hispanic people and others through health, prevention and education.
About 100 players and sponsors gathered for the first annual Allied Flooring and Paint and Budget Cabinets Charity Golf Tournament last month at Crestview Country Club in Agawam.
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Big Y Foods Inc. celebrated a grand re-opening of its supermarket at 1090 St. James Ave, Springfield, on October 31. The project included major renovations to many areas of the store and several new additions. The store now features updated decor, flooring and finishes throughout the building. The exterior facade also had a more modern look. Additionally, a modified customer service center opened up space to include cafeteria seating for customers.
The new design includes a new butcher shop, updated deli/cuisine offerings and an expanded Hispanic grocery section featuring traditional ingredients and pantry staples from throughout Latin America, including Brazil and the Caribbean.
New high-efficiency LED lighting, refrigerated cases and equipment were installed throughout the store.
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Monson Savings Bank executive vice president and chief operating officer Michael Rouette and Hampden branch manager Adriano dos Santos recently presented a $2,000 donation to Ted Zebert, treasurer of Friends of Hampden Senior Citizens.
Friends of Hampden Senior Citizens was ranked in the top 10 of the Monson Savings Bank 2024 Community Giving Initiative. Community members voted for their favorite charities.