Day: November 25, 2020

Healthcare Heroes, Women of Impact Rescheduled as Virtual Events

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Due to spikes in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. and beyond, BusinessWest and the Healthcare News have decided it is in everyone’s best interest to reschedule and transition these annual celebrations from hybrid events to completely virtual events. As always, our main priority is to keep everyone safe, and we appreciate your patience while we navigate through these trying times.

This year’s Healthcare Heroes, all of whom are being recognized for their efforts to battle the pandemic in myriad ways, will be celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 14. They include Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health; Christopher Savino, Emeline Bean, and Lydia Brisson, clinical liaisons for Berkshire Healthcare Systems; Friends of the Homeless; the Nutrition Department at Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.; the staff at Holyoke Medical Center; the Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst; Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare; Maggie Eboso, Infection Control and Prevention coordinator at Mercy Medical Center; Jennifer Graham, home health aide at O’Connell Care at Home; and Helen Gobeil, staffing supervisor at Visiting Angels West Springfield.

The Healthcare Heroes program is sponsored by Elms College (presenting sponsor), Baystate Health and Health New England (presenting sponsor), and partner sponsors Bulkley Richardson, Comcast Business, and Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center.

This year’s Women of Impact will be celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 28. They include Tania Barber, president and CEO of Caring Health Center; Carol Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors; Helen Caulton-Harris, Health and Human Services commissioner for the city of Springfield; Pattie Hallberg, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts; Andrea Harrington, Berkshire County district attorney; Toni Hendrix, director of Human Services at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing; Christina Royal, president of Holyoke Community College; and Sue Stubbs, president and CEO of ServiceNet.

The event is sponsored by Country Bank, Health New England, and TommyCar Auto Group (presenting sponsors), Comcast Business (supporting sponsor), and WWLP 22 News/CW Springfield (media sponsor).

Details about both events will be announced soon.

Monson Savings Bank Promotes Rob Chateauneuf

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced the recent promotion of Rob Chateauneuf to senior vice president and senior commercial loan officer.

“Rob has more than proven his value over the years through his hard work and dedication to Monson Savings Bank’s customers and his team members. We are so pleased to recognize his commitment with this well-deserved promotion,” Monson Savings Bank President Dan Moriarty said. “Rob puts his heart into his work. His in-depth understanding of commercial lending, his welcoming disposition, and his enthusiasm to help commercial borrowers make him an asset to our team and our customers.”

In his new role, Chateauneuf will be responsible for leading the bank’s Commercial Lending team as they continue to serve local businesses of all sizes. He is skilled in commercial real-estate lending, C&I lending, construction lending, and SBA lending.

At Monson Savings Bank, he most recently served as first vice president of Commercial Lending and has been the bank since 2012. With more than 20 years of banking experience, including commercial lending, residential lending, and retail branch management, he has a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges of commercial businesses.

Chateauneuf earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Leadership Institute at Western New England University and the American Bankers Assoc. Stonier Graduate School of Banking – Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, he was recognized as one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty.

He served on the board of directors at Hawthorn Services from 2006 to 2010, serving as president and chair from 2008 to 2010. When Hawthorn Services merged with the Center for Human Development (CHD), he was asked to join the CHD board, which he served as chair of the program committee and a member the board of directors from 2010 to 2020. He also served on the board of directors of the South Hadley Chamber of Commerce from 2004 to 2013. He has also been involved in myriad other charitable organizations and volunteer events throughout the years, including those benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the Westfield Boys & Girls Club, the United Way, and the towns of Agawam and South Hadley.

“I am excited to be a part of Monson Savings Bank, a community bank that focuses on the true needs of our local businesses,” Chateauneuf said. “Monson Savings Bank supports the local economy by providing businesses with capital to grow, resulting in more local jobs and vibrant communities.”

Robinson Donovan, P.C. Makes Thanksgiving Food Donation to the Gray House

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. made a donation of 100 pounds of side dishes to the Gray House to help ensure food on the table for local families this Thanksgiving.

“We’ve partnered with the Gray House for several years for the Adopt-a-Family Christmas program, and wanted to do something extra this year, knowing how many people have been deeply impacted by the pandemic,” Partner Jim Martin said. “The Gray House is an invaluable community institution that we are proud to support.”

Through the help of individuals and businesses like Robinson Donovan, the Gray House is able to provide turkeys and accompanying food for families in need on Thanksgiving.

“Providing our neighbors with the resources needed to break the cycle of poverty truly takes a community, and as such, I am incredibly grateful to have Robinson Donovan as part of this community,” said Kristen McClintock, executive director of the Gray House. “We could not have reached this milestone, 35 years of service, without the support of such generous people. Every life we touch — be it through adult education, youth programming, food, or a warm winter coat — is possible because of their investment in the lives of those in need.”

To make a donation to the Gray House, visit grayhouse.org/donate.

Country Bank Announces Holiday Support for Communities in Need

By
Daily News

WARE — Country Bank announced a series of initiatives to help support local communities during the 2020 holiday season, especially those affected by the economic fallout from the ongoing pandemic.

As part of these initiatives, Country Bank teamed up with Old Sturbridge Village to offer 750 free meals to families in need this Thanksgiving. Meals were delivered to St. John’s Food for the Poor, the YWCA, Abby’s House, Veterans Inc., and Elm Street Congregational Church.

“We wanted to do everything we could to help support families in the community this Thanksgiving,” said James Donahue, president of Old Sturbridge Village. “Country Bank and Old Sturbridge Village share a collective belief that we can make a difference when we work together, and we are doing just that.”

On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, the Country Bank retail banking team will support local small businesses by purchasing 400 gift cards from businesses throughout its markets. These gift cards will be distributed in Country Bank branch locations on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1. The corporate-office team will also partner with Provision Ministry and assemble 250 backpacks filled with essential care items to be delivered to the Springfield Rescue Mission.

Throughout the month of December, the famous red kettles will be visible at several Country Bank branch locations to help fill the void the Salvation Army will experience this year, in part due to the pandemic. Country Bank has donated $10,000 toward this meaningful cause.

Finally, as part of its Community Cares program, the staff participated in its own Boston Marathon by ‘walking the distance’ via a downloadable app. This virtual challenge brought people together while supporting charities of their choice with a $500 donation. A total of $30,000 will be granted to charities.

“As a community partner, we care deeply about our communities, and we want to offer our support where it is needed most this holiday season,” said Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. “As we reflect on the past year with gratitude for the bank’s strength and ability to support so many in need, we are also humbled to witness so many great acts of kindness and support throughout our communities from the people and businesses who make this region the remarkable place it is to live and work.

“The pandemic has taken its toll on the people and places in our communities,” he added. “We know that many have suffered losses over the last several months. Some have lost their jobs, their business, and others have lost loved ones. There is no more significant time in our history for community partners to step up and provide support to those in need.”

To learn more about the various activities that Country Bank will be participating in and how to donate to the local charities it is supporting, visit www.countrybank.com/seasonofgiving.

Demore’s Automotive Owner to Make Holidays Brighter for Palmer Families

By
Daily News

PALMER — Jay Demore, owner of Demore’s Automotive in Palmer, believes in supporting the community. This week, more than 300 people in Palmer will have Thanksgiving meals thanks to the efforts of Demore; his sister JoAnn, operations manager at the auto shop; and a few customers who have come to the shop with checks for as much as $200 and $300.

Demore, who has operated the auto-repair shop since 1997, will provide prepared meals from Palmer restaurants, 80 of which will go to elderly residents in town. For families that prefer to make Thanksgiving dinner, he’ll make sure they have a turkey and the ingredients for stuffing, side dishes, and desserts. Anyone in need was encouraged to message Demore privately through social media; customers and local residents who knew of a family in need reached out to let him know.

How does he decide who gets the meals? “I leave it to the good of the people to let me know who needs the help,” Demore said, noting that people have responded to posts on his business Facebook page as well as posts on local and town pages.

The plan to help began last Easter, as restaurants and families began to be affected financially by the pandemic. That’s when Demore began purchasing gift cards for Palmer restaurants and giving them to town residents in need.

Demore has taken his support of Palmer restaurants on the road with the Stand Out Truck, a mobile digital billboard. He purchased ads on the truck for his own business and, after seeing results, began purchasing ad space and sponsoring restaurants.

He is also offering to help any families in need at Christmas — and not just with meals. Demore and his sister have already purchased some big-ticket toys, such as a remote-control Jeep, which he says will be decked out with the Demore Automotive logo, as well as boys’ and girls’ bikes, a play kitchen, and a Nintendo Switch. “We’re even supplying wrapping paper,” he added.

A “Stuff the Cruiser” event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palmer Town Hall/police station parking lot. The event supports Santa’s Elves of Palmer, which collects and distributes toys to families in the area. Demore said he would like to see a record number of cruisers stuffed this year. To help reach that goal, he will give a $10 gift card to a local restaurant to anyone who brings an unwrapped toy to his business. Toys can be for any age or gender. Demore will deliver the toys to the Dec. 5 event.

Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, Claire Teague Senior Center Team Up on Thanksgiving Meals

By
Daily News

GREAT BARRINGTON — This Thanksgiving is tough for many local seniors, who won’t be seeing friends and family because of the pandemic. So Wheeler & Taylor Insurance in Great Barrington teamed up with the Claire Teague Senior Center to give local seniors a complete Thanksgiving dinner they can easily prepare at home.

J. Scott Rote, president of the insurance agency, bought oven-ready turkey breast with gravy kits at a local supermarket. He and his staff added vegetables, cranberry sauce, mashed-potato mix, dessert, and four KN95 face masks to each package. In all, the packages will yield about 300 to 350 meals.

Polly Mann-Salenovich, director of the Clare Teague Senior Center in Great Barrington, delivered them to a local senior-housing complex and individual seniors.

“I got wonderful feedback from our seniors,” she said. “Wheeler & Taylor thought of everything. All I had to do was put the packages in our van and deliver them. I was thrilled. It really was wonderful, great fun.”

Rote has also received calls from seniors. One was from an old acquaintance who’s gone through tough times and now can’t get out easily. “He said he hasn’t had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in years and was almost in tears when he called to say thanks,” Rote said.

Separately, Kimberly Briggs, account manager at Wheeler & Taylor, who is also the secretary of the Junior League of Berkshire County, spearheaded employee fundraising for the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington. In total, Wheeler & Taylor employees donated 10 boxes of groceries that were delivered to the pantry by Briggs and Rote.

Law Firm to Present Free Paid Family and Medical Leave Webinars for Employers

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced it will hold two complimentary webinars in December to help employers prepare for the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program.

“On January 1, 2021, PFML will be a reality in Massachusetts,” said attorney John Gannon, a partner at Skoler Abbott. “Once the program takes effect, Massachusetts employees will be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid family leave — up to 26 weeks in certain circumstances — and up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave. We expect that employees will immediately start filing claims, as many may have been waiting for PFML to go live before requesting leave.”

The first webinar, “Are You Ready for the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Program?” will take place on Thursday, Dec. 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Gannon will be joined by attorney Meaghan Murphy to provide a general overview of the new law, discuss how to manage and prepare for PFML claims, talk about how to curb abuse, and share PFML policy updates. To register for this free webinar, visit bit.ly/38LeezX.

“In order to comply with the new paid-leave laws, employers must make important changes to their policies and procedures and update their employee handbooks,” said attorney Amelia Holstrom, another partner at Skoler Abbott. “Employees will be eligible to take PFML as of January 1, 2021 in Massachusetts, and Connecticut’s program is not far behind.”

The second webinar, “Employee Handbook Review,” will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Holstrom and attorney Erica Flores will cover policy changes required by the new PFML laws and more, including how those changes may impact other policies and procedures, legally required policies for employers, and recommended changes to address impacts and prepare for PFML claims. To register for this free webinar, visit bit.ly/38P1592.

Golden Years Home Care Services Provides Care Packages to Veterans for Thanksgiving

By
Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Golden Years Home Care Services partnered with Veterans Outreach Centers of Massachusetts Inc., Commonwealth Care Alliance, and Springfield Pharmacy to deliver “Appreciation for Your Service” care packages to veterans in Springfield on Nov. 24.

Thanksgiving is a time when most people think about what they are thankful for. Staff at Golden Years say they are thankful to veterans for all the work they have done for this country, but, while providing home-care services to veterans, they noticed that not all veterans have the basic necessities most take for granted.

The partnership among the organizations supplied veterans with toothbrushes, gloves, hats, socks, shampoo, hand sanitizers, masks, deodorant, soap, razors, and more supplies. They also received a turkey provided by Golden Years Home Care.

“As a Vietnam-era veteran, I am proud that Golden Years cares and gives support to all military and veterans. I am honored to be the liaison that my fellow vets reach out to. I cannot express how grateful I am to be given this opportunity,” said Paul Rasid, regional director and veterans liaison.

Added Cesar Ruiz Jr., president and CEO of Golden Years Home Care Services, “we must always remember our veterans for the sacrifices they have made to help keep us free and safe.”

Women of Impact 2020

By
Cover Story Women of Impact 2020

View the 2020 Women of Impact Program Guide Here!

2020 Women of Impact

• Tania Barber, President and CEO of Caring Health Center, who has led by example, with a servant’s heart, in both her healthcare career and in her ministry.
• Carol Campbell, President of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, who is using her influence to help other women find — and use — their voice.
• Helen Caulton-Harris, Health and Human Services commissioner for the city of Springfield, whose vision of a healthier community includes social equity.
• Patricia Hallberg, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts, who continues to be both a role model and advocate for women and girls.
• Andrea Harrington, Berkshire County district attorney, who set out to transform her region’s criminal-justice system and has done so, in myriad ways.
• Toni Hendrix, Director of Human Services at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, who has transformed organizations through empathy-based leadership.
• Christina Royal, President of Holyoke Community College, whose leadership has been tested and sharpened by the challenges wrought by a pandemic.
• Sue Stubbs, President and CEO of ServiceNet, who has grown her agency dramatically by recognizing needs and welcoming innovative ideas to meet them.

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

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TommyCarWOI2020

Supporting Sponsor

Media Partner

Social Media Partner

Meet Our Judges

Carol Moore Cutting

In 1999, Carol Moore Cutting, a 2019 Women of Impact honoree, launched WEIB 106.3 FM, the only locally owned commercial FM radio station in the Greater Springfield market, the only female-owned FM radio station in Massachusetts, and the only station in New England owned by a person of color. She’s also sponsored myriad cultural organizations and jazz festivals in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, while supporting non-arts-related nonprofits over the years as well.

Shelley Regin

As senior vice president of Marketing at Country Bank, Shelley Regin draws on 25 years of experience with that institution. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and holds the professional designation of certified financial marketing professional, as well as a certification in social media. She also serves as vice president of the New England Financial Marketing Assoc. and an advisory board member for the American Bankers Assoc. Marketing School.

Katherine Putnam

Katherine Putnam, another 2019 Women of Impact honoree, is managing director of Golden Seeds, a national investment firm that focuses on early-stage businesses that have women in management and leadership roles. While investing in some developing ventures, she spends most of her time advising and mentoring entrepreneurs, especially women, while working diligently to create strategies for helping women and minorities crash through the many barriers facing them as entrepreneurs.

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