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University of Massachusetts Amherst’ 14th Annual 5K Dash and Dine Registration Closes Soon
Amherst, MA – University of Massachusetts Dining Services invites the community to participate in their 14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine on Saturday, April 26th, at 11:00 a.m. They’re encouraging participants to register soon as the deadline is quickly approaching on Thursday, April 24th at midnight. Their goal is to promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center (ASC). UMass Dining’s focus is on quality ingredients and meals, customer service, student
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Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield Announces April and May 2025 Networking Events
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., – The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) has announced an exciting lineup of April and May 2025 events! Springfield YPS events are concentrated on business & career development, networking, social & cultural involvement, and community activism. Their goal is to make Springfield a better place to work, live, play and stay and their events fulfill their mission. To learn more about Springfield YPS and its programming, visit their website. Upcoming events
Berkshire Bank Foundation invests more than $400,000 in local nonprofits
BOSTON, April 16 — Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $400,000 in communities through grants and other giving in the first quarter of the year. Several Pioneer Valley organizations were among the 118 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont that the foundation supported from January to March, including: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Inc.Seeding
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Girls Inc. of the Valley to Celebrate Girls Inc. Week and Girls Inc. Together - Day of Giving with
Guests will Receive an Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Newly Renovated Program Space and Hear from Children’s Book Author, Lesléa Newman Holyoke, MA – Girls Inc. of the Valleyis celebrating the unveiling of their newly renovated program space and the extraordinary achievements of all girls and alumni leading up to Girls Inc. Week 2025 and Girls Inc. Together - Day of Giving. Girls Inc. of the Valley is embracing the community’s support in addressing a critical issue facing youth today: mental
Wil Morales Promoted to AVP Community Lending Officer at Monson Savings Bank
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Awildo “Wil” Morales to the position of Assistant Vice President Community Lending Officer. In his new role, Morales will focus on building strong lending relationships within the local community, supporting individuals and businesses in achieving their financial goals, and providing access to loan solutions that meet their unique needs. Morales, a Ludlow resident, has been with Monson Savings Bank for over eight years. Previously
WESTFIELD BANK ANNOUNCES FREE SHRED EVENT AT CHICOPEE LOCATION ON MAY 10, 2025
Westfield, MA— Westfield Bank is pleased to announce that it will be holding four shred events this year. In efforts to help the community dispose of their personal information properly, Westfield Bank has partnered with ProShred Security® to provide a free shred event, with a limit of five boxes per person. The first event will be held at our East Street Branch, located at 569 East Street in Chicopee, on Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To see the full schedule of shred events, please visit
Monson Savings Bank Contributes $10,000 to Revitalize Community Development Corporation
Monson Savings Bank employees proudly present a $10,000 donation to RCDC representatives. Monson, MA – In alignment with its ongoing mission to give back to the communities it serves, Monson Savings Bank proudly donated $10,000 to Revitalize Community Development Corporation (Revitalize CDC) in support of their upcoming 2025 #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild event. Revitalize CDC, based in Springfield and founded in 1992, is a well-respected nonprofit that provides critical repairs and rehabilitation to
Country Bank welcomes Lucila (Lucy) Sánchez as Retail Loan Officer
April 11, 2025 — Country Bank, a leading full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the addition of Lucy Sanchez to its Retail Lending Team. Lucy brings nearly two decades of experience in the banking industry and a strong commitment to community engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Lucy to the Country Bank team. Her extensive background in banking and mortgage lending, with deep ties to the community and financial literacy, make her an
Country Bank welcomes Liz Chrystal as the Vice President of Project Management
April 3, 2025 — Country Bank, a leading full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Chrystal as the new Vice President of Project Management. Liz’s appointment represents an important step in the Bank’s continued focus on operational excellence and strategic growth. “We are thrilled to welcome Liz to the Country Bank team. Her extensive experience across financial services and healthcare, combined with her passion for project
Berkshire’s Community Comeback exceeds $5B goal
Program helps power revitalization projects and neighborhoods BOSTON, April 3, 2025 — Berkshire Bank’s Community Comeback program concluded by exceeding its $5 billion goal to lend and invest across the company’s markets. The bank launched the multi-year program as communities emerged from the pandemic in 2021. The impact of the Community Comeback, which has been honored nationally as an exceptional demonstration of corporate responsibility, is a testament to the bank’s commitment to unlock the
American International College Earns 2025-2026 Military Friendly ® School Designation with Silver
SPRINGFIELD, MA — American International College (AIC) announced it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly ® School designation. AIC’s Silver Award signifies that the College is among the top twenty percent of colleges supporting veterans and military-connected students. Only a select group of institutions achieve this honor, highlighting their commitment to serving military personnel and their families.Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data
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The April Performance Lineup at 52 Sumner Totally Rocks (and that’s no April Fools Day joke!)
Springfield, Mass. – 52 Sumner, the electrifying new arts and entertainment hotspot from Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, Inc. (“SPAV”), is cranking up the volume this month with another stellar lineup - including more shows in their highly regarded ROCK REWIND series of tribute shows. Get ready—because they’re just continuing to amp up the fun! Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc. is a non-profit created to ignite the artistic spirit within Springfield’s urban community. SPAV is focused on
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Local Head Start Leader Elected to New England Board of Directors
Springfield, MA – Nicole Blais, Chief Executive Officer of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start, Inc. (HCS Head Start) was recently elected to the New England Head Start Association (NEHSA) Board of Directors. NEHSA, a membership-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, exists to unite and support New England Head Start programs as leaders in early education. For the past 40 years, NEHSA has worked with, and on behalf, of children, families, staff and Early Head Start / Head Start programs located
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The Good Dog Spot Inc. Presents Generous Check to Support The Foundation for TJO Animals
Chicopee, MA – The Good Dog Spot Inc., a local dog daycare and boarding center, will be making a generous check & supply donation to The Foundation for TJO Animals from the donations they collected in December of 2024. This check presentation will take place ahead of Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week, April 13th-19th, 2025. The Good Dog Spot takes a unique approach to pet care, prioritizing overall well-being over the traditional belief that dogs need constant play to be fulfilled. Instead of
Bouncing Back: Proven Strategies for Businesses to Survive and Thrive in Adversity
Join the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce today and be part of a thriving business community dedicated to fostering economic growth in East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham. When your business hits a rough patch, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. The pressure to stay afloat, maintain morale, and find a way forward can be overwhelming. However, tough times are often the catalyst for innovation and resilience. By taking deliberate and strategic steps, you can
Marketing Excellence: Creating Sales Pitches that Resonate and Convert
Creating an effective sales pitch and marketing strategy is crucial in today's competitive landscape. By employing strategic techniques, you can enhance engagement and improve your chances of success with potential customers. Mastering these essential aspects of your business will set you apart and drive your initiatives forward. Here's a helpful guide on how to excel in these critical areas.Establishing Trust with Customer Endorsements Building trust is essential, and leveraging customer testimonials
