Business Monday ETC: Dec. 23, 2024

Florence Bank recently sponsored Cancer Connection’s 2024 Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction in Amherst with a $7,000 gift to support the organization that serves as a haven for people with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers.

The nonprofit offers a broad 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 those living with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers; one-one-one emotional support with trained befrienders on staff who hold confidential conversations with caregivers and people with a diagnosis on Zoom or in person.

The Cancer Connection serves about 350 people per month through weekly programs, special workshops and its integrative services and roughly 170 individual sessions via email, calls or visits.

Florence Bank also donated $5,000 to Tech Foundry of Springfield in its 10th anniversary year, supporting its newly established Innovation Fund to help enhance the organization’s digital literacy curriculum and grow its reach.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Tech Foundry hosted a workforce development luncheon in the spring and held a casual fundraiser, called Gaming for Tech, at the Quarters in Hadley on Sept. 19. On Oct. 24, a gala fundraising event was held at MGM Springfield.

The goal is to raise $325,000 for the Innovation Fund to drive growth. Roughly $294,000 has been raised so far, and there is roughly $60,000 left of $100,000 in matching funds.

*****************************************************************

Allied Flooring, Paint and Design and Budget Cabinet Sales in East Longmeadow, Agawam and Leominster recently made donations to two local charities:

$10,429.86 went to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. The Springfield-based program connects local students with economic education and financial literacy programs aimed at setting them up for long term career and financial success.

$10,429.86 went to the Gándara Center in Holyoke. The program promotes the well-being of African American and Hispanic people and others through healthcare, prevention and education.

About 100 players and sponsors gathered for the Allied Flooring and Paint and Budget Cabinets first annual Charity Golf Tournament last month at Crestview Country Club in Agawam.

***************************************************************

Big Y Foods Inc. held a grand reopening of its supermarket at 1090 St. James Ave, Springfield, on Oct. 31. The project included major renovations in many areas of the store and various new additions. The store now features upgraded décor, flooring and finishes throughout the building. The exterior facade was also given a more modern look. Additionally, a modified Customer Service Center opened up space to include café seating for customers.

The new design features a new service butcher shop, updated deli/kitchen offerings and an expanded Hispanic grocery section featuring traditional ingredients and pantry staples from across Latin America including Brazil and the Caribbean.

New high efficiency LED lighting, refrigerated cases and equipment were installed throughout the store.

****************************************************************

Michael Rouette, Monson Savings Bank executive vice president and chief operating officer, 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 placed in the top 10 for the Monson Savings Bank 2024 Community Giving Initiative. Community members voted for their favorite charitable organizations.