Robinson Donovan, P.C. Celebrates 150 Years in Business

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C., a full-service law firm representing individual and business clients throughout Massachusetts and New England, is celebrating 150 years in business. To commemorate this milestone, and to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to the future of the Greater Springfield region, it plans to make a series of donations to local nonprofits.

“Robinson Donovan has a rich history,” said attorney James Martin. “The firm’s roots are traced back to former Gov. George D. Robinson, who began practicing law in the Springfield area prior to serving as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate.”

Robinson’s contributions to the Springfield region extend beyond his appointments to public office. He was also the principal of Chicopee High School and a founding member of Chicopee Savings Bank, both of which are still in operation today in addition to his law practice, which is now known as Robinson Donovan.

“George Robinson was a true public servant,” said attorney Carla Newton. “That is why we are choosing to celebrate our 150th anniversary, and honor our founder, by supporting local nonprofits. The worthy organizations we will announce throughout the year will each receive one donation. Nonprofits are vital to the fabric of our communities, and we hope to raise awareness for their causes and support important initiatives that benefit us all, which continues the legacy of our founder and our firm.”

For the months of January through April, Robinson Donovan elected to donate to Providence Ministries Service Network in Holyoke, Friends of the Homeless Inc. in Springfield, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield, and Bay Path University in Longmeadow.

Providence Ministries Service Network, founded in 1980, serves the Holyoke community by providing food, clothing, and housing to those in need. The organization empowers clients and fosters self-sufficiency. Among its many programs is Kate’s Kitchen, which, in addition to serving food to 85 to 200 people daily, also offers an opportunity for job training. Students participate in a 10-week culinary training program that provides the skills needed for employment in a variety of food-service positions as well as the opportunity to earn needed certification.

Friends of the Homeless serves the Greater Springfield region with the goal of ending homelessness. It meets the immediate needs of the homeless by operating the largest emergency shelter for adult individuals in Western Mass. The organization also focuses on long-term solutions through case management aimed at obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, running a resource center, and operating low-income housing.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts provides individuals facing hunger with the food they need to survive and leads communities toward long-term solutions to the problem of hunger in the region. Serving the four counties of Western Mass., the Food Bank is the leading provider of emergency food that reaches individuals and families with lower incomes.

Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Sturbridge, and Burlington, Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.