LONGMEADOW — In keeping with Bay Path University tradition, an area nonprofit organization has been selected to receive donations from the Bay Path community in celebration of the holiday season. This year, Baystate Children’s Hospital will be the recipient charity of contributions from the university.

Baystate Children’s Hospital, located at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, remains the only accredited children’s hospital in the region and delivers a high level of care to infants, children, and adolescents. The hospital is equipped with 110 beds, including 57 bassinettes, and provides more than 50 inpatient and outpatient services.

Donations from Bay Path faculty and staff will include much-needed items such as toys, games, strollers, and books, among other essentials, and will be collected for the hospital today during the university’s annual employee holiday party. Bay Path employees will be honored for their years of service to the university during the party as well.

CHICOPEE — The Elms College School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Sunday Sandwich Ministry, is holding a memorial service and dinner to honor homeless people who passed away in 2015 in Chicopee.

The event takes place Friday, Dec. 18 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry, 170 Pendexter Ave., Chicopee. The memorial program, which precedes the 5 p.m. dinner, will be held outside, so attendees should dress accordingly. The public is invited to join in remembrance. Food pantry donations of non-perishable food items or money may be made at the event.

For 25 years, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has advocated this national day of memory to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember friends who have lost their lives to homelessness.

The Basilica of St. Stanislaus Sandwich Ministry distributes food and clothing to people who are homeless or facing financial challenges in Chicopee center each Sunday.

Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry is a nonprofit organization serving the hungry and disadvantaged in the Greater Chicopee community. Lorraine’s serves an average of 100 meals each evening and approximately 500 families a month through the pantry.

Elms College School of Nursing operates the caRe vaN, providing free healthcare to the homeless and underserved of Chicopee and Holyoke.

EAST LONGMEADOW — Robert Charles Photography recently announced a goal to raise $20,000 for Baystate Children’s Hospital.

Since 2005, the studio has donated more than $80,000 to the hospital by gifting its proceeds from sessions purchased in the month of December. In an effort to reach its ultimate goal of raising $100,000, the company has put together a special holiday package available until Wednesday, Dec. 23. All proceeds from the sale of these packages will benefit the area’s only children’s hospital.

For a donation of $79 to Baystate Children’s Hospital, donors will receive a photographic
session, an 8×10 signature portrait, digital images for social media, and a surprise gift. Two other companies have stepped up to help in this year’s effort; Pop’s Biscotti & Chocolate of Wilbraham and the Delaney House of Holyoke. Both have offered to provide special gifts to those who make a donation. The retail value of the holiday package now exceeds $350.

To make a donation and receive a holiday package, call (413) 525-4264 or visit www.robertcharlesphoto.com. Holiday packages may be purchased as a gift or used for the family making the donation. The sessions can also be scheduled until April 2016. A limited number of packages are available.

AMHERST — Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) honored eight employees for their outstanding commitment to the community at its annual staff appreciation and holiday event on Dec. 4. These awards are presented annually to recognize the exemplary contributions made by employees in the course of their work. More than 325 guests attended this lively event, which was held at the UMass Student Union Ballroom.

The Exemplary Administrative Support Award, which honors an administrative support employee whose work has been notable for its excellence, went to Marceina Purdy, back-end billing specialist in Northampton.

The Outstanding Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership, vision, and initiative in support of the agency’s mission and objectives, went to Sara Stodulski, Springfield outpatient supervisor.

The Exemplary Direct Service Award, honoring an employee whose direct-care work has been notable for its excellence, went to Ben Tozloski, Greenfield outpatient clinician.

Chris Jones, Athol crisis clinician, was recognized with the Morale/Spirit Award, which honors the employee who, in the course of their work, has done the most in contributing to the agency’s employee morale.

Nicole Lemire, Greenfield family-support worker, was recognized for Outstanding Commitment to Recovery. This award recognizes a person who promotes and integrates the principles of recovery and a trauma-informed approach by actively modeling such principles in his or her work.

The award for Community Service Leadership went to Ariane Krumholz, director of Quality Improvement. This award honors a staff member who has provided exceptional personal dedication and a commitment to excellence in bringing communities together at the grass-roots level to assure that the agency meets the needs of those it serves.

The Exemplary Team Award, which recognizes a program, department, or committee that has functioned as an exemplary team, whether formally or informally designated, went to the team at the Bridge Family Resource Center in Amherst.

Finally, CSO honored Rich Nadolski, director of Clubhouse services, for his 30 years of service at CSO.

“Our employees work tirelessly every day supporting our clients and making our communities healthier,” said President and CEO Karin Jeffers said. “I am honored to be a part of this team and recognize these employees for their dedication and excellence.”

LONGMEADOW — John O’Rourke III has been appointed to the position of controller at Bay Path University.

O’Rourke will work closely with Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services Michael Giampietro and the staff of the university’s Business Office to account for and manage its financial assets. His responsibilities include overseeing payroll, accounting, receivables and payables, grant accounting and compliance, and the Bursar’s Office.

“John O’Rourke is highly skilled in financial analysis, auditing, and strategic planning,” Giampietro said. “We are excited to have him join the university staff.”

O’Rourke brings to the university more than 15 years of experience in finance and accounting. Prior to joining the Bay Path staff, he served as comptroller for Holyoke Community College, and has additional experience as an investment accountant for MassMutual Financial Group and staff accountant for Lester Halpern & Co. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from UMass Amherst.

WARE — Country Bank is sharing the warmth this holiday season with its friends and neighbors. In each of 15 branch locations, the bank has brought back the Hat & Mitten Tree.

The public is invited to stop by a branch to donate a new hat, scarf, pair of mittens, or any non-perishable food items. Collections will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 18, at which time they will be brought to local food pantries for distribution in their communities.

As a reminder, all Country Bank offices will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 24 and will remain closed through Sunday, Dec. 27.

LONGMEADOW — Ruth’s House, the assisted-living residence at JGS Lifecare, announced the appointment of Samantha Panniello as dining services coordinator. As an experienced executive and catering chef, she brings a new dimension to the facility’s signature kosher dining and banquet menus.

Panniello brings more than 10 years of experience to Ruth’s House. Formally trained at the Connecticut Culinary Institute, where she was recognized for excellence and graduated at the top of her class, she worked as a chef for both Springfield College and UMass Amherst before becoming kitchen manager of the Federal in Agawam and Vinted in West Hartford, Conn. where she was named head chef. While at Vinted, the restaurant received a rave review by the New York Times, praising its “rich tastes on small plates.” Panniello also landed an executive chef position at Lego in Enfield, Conn., and most recently served as head chef of Marketplace/Back Street Bistro in Springfield.

“We’re proud to welcome Samantha to coordinate our dining services. She brings tremendous talent, enthusiasm, and experience to our culinary team,” said Joelle Tedeschi, executive director of Ruth’s House. “Our residents are in for a treat.”

WESTFIELD — Baystate Noble Hospital recently received a check for $1,000 from the Amelia Park Ice Arena’s October Pink in the Rink event. This donation will go the Baystate Noble Hospital Breast Cancer fund, which helps women going through breast-cancer treatment who may not be able to afford all of the expenses associated with their care.

Services at Baystate Noble include the Burk Women’s Imaging Center, where mammograms and bone densitometry testing is done, and the Comprehensive Breast Program, featuring diagnosis, treatment, and post-operative care for breast cancer. Treatment for lymphoma and alternative health sessions, such as massage and Reiki, are also offered.

Pink in the Rink at Amelia Park Ice Arena featured a Western Mass Blizzard Girls hockey game, a pink-themed public skate, raffles, and a bake sale.

“We are honored to receive this donation from the Amelia Park Ice Arena’s Pink in the Rink event for the third year in a row,” said Allison Gearing-Kalill, vice president of Community Development at Baystate Noble Hospital. “Donations like this may help your neighbor or family member who is going through cancer treatment. We are fortunate and grateful that the community supports Baystate Noble, which enables us to provide excellent care for our patients.”

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Charles Ramon, owner of Ramon Financial Services, announced that Yvonne Diaz is joining the company as a benefits consultant. She will design and service employee-benefit programs for new and existing clients.

Diaz brings 16 years of industry experience, including 10 years as an account executive at Health New England. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Bay Path College and is currently a member of Leadership Pioneer Valley’s Class of 2016.

SPRINGFIELD — When tornadoes carved a 39-mile path through the landscape of Western Mass. on June 1, 2011, thousands of lives were impacted. Even today, many of the tornado victims are still dealing with the aftermath, including Isidoro and Alejandrina Mulero of Springfield. Their home in the Six Corners section of the city sustained significant damage to the roof, siding, windows, and foundation.

After four years, the Muleros’ home is almost habitable thanks to volunteers from the community as well as Habitat for Humanity and Revitalize Community Development Corp. (formerly Rebuilding Together), who refurbished the damaged structure. Now, all the family needs is to have the flooring installed, for which Baystate Rug & Flooring, a local, family-owned provider of flooring with locations in East Longmeadow and Chicopee, has donated labor.

According to Margarita Mulero, the daughter of Isidoro and Alejandrina, the family reached out to Baystate Rug & Flooring at the recommendation of a pastor at a local church.

“We were looking for someone whose heart would go out to them, someone who could volunteer their services to help finish the repairs to the house,” she said. “Baystate Rug & Flooring was the company that was suggested, and when we contacted them, they expressed interest in helping us.”

Jorge Morgado, vice president of Baystate Rug & Flooring, noted, “at Baystate Rug and Flooring, we live by the motto ‘how can I make today a better day?’ When we learned about the Mulero family of Springfield, who were struggling to get back into their tornado-damaged home, we wanted to help in some small way. Donating installation services is one way we can demonstrate our commitment to making each day better for our community.”

WARE — In October, a team of officers and a trustee from Country Bank traveled to Haiti as part of a mission of the Be Like Brit Foundation. During the seven-day excursion, the group built a home in the community of Grand Goave, while connecting with children at the foundation’s nearby orphanage.

Country Bank was joined on the trip by Mark O’Connell, CEO of Wolf & Co., an accounting firm with offices in Boston and Springfield, along with five members of his team. Dubbed ‘Team Double Trouble,’ each group built a new house, benefiting two of the area’s disadvantaged families.

Housing is still greatly needed more than five years after the earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation. The team from Country Bank cleared the lot, hand-poured the foundation, and framed and finished the structure. All the lumber, concrete, and water to the two remote building sites were carried by hand by the teams.

“As community bankers, we are deeply involved with the families in need in our own region,” said Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank, who traveled with the group. “Our journey with the Be Like Brit Foundation provided us with greater appreciation of the support that people need around the world. It was a life-changing experience for our group on both a personal and professional level, as the trip served as a corporate team-building and bonding opportunity. I am deeply proud to be surrounded by a team of such dedicated and caring individuals.”

In addition to their time building, the teams toured the Mission of Hope International facilities, including a school, computer lab, and library. They also attended church with the children on Sunday and came back to serve lunch the following day.

The orphanage was built in memory of 19-year-old Britney Gengel, the Rutland, Mass. native who perished in the 2010 Haiti earthquake while on a service trip with her college, Lynn University.

LEE — The Lee Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual meeting and awards banquet at Greenock Country Club, with a dinner catered by Fiddleheads Grille. In addition to electing board members, the chamber also honored businesses and individuals that have contributed significantly to the business community in Lee.

Returning board members elected to serve three-year terms are: Gloria Friedman (Applegate Inn); Wayne Harris, board treasurer (Trustco Bank); Paula Gangell-Miller (Lee Bank); and Joey Scapin (Lee Hardware). New board members are Jennifer O’Neil (Greylock Federal Credit Union) and Bart Collins (Southern States Auto Sales).

During the awards ceremony, Onyx Specialty Papers was honored as Corporate Citizen of the Year; the 2015 Distinguished Service Award was given to Ray Murray Inc.; and the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to RWs Towing/B-Safe Storage. Recognized as Volunteer of the Year was Bruce Singer of Devonfield Country Inn for his work with the chamber’s annual Golf Open and as parade committee chair for Lee Founders Weekend.

SPRINGFIELD — Pride Stores will host its 10th holiday party for 125 local foster children at its “Fifties Diner” on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. Foster children and their foster families will be given gifts and enjoy food, games, and arts and crafts along with an opportunity to get their photo taken with Santa.

Pride is also sponsoring 18 ‘giving trees’ at selected stores. Last year, Pride, its employees, and customers gave more than 300 gifts to these foster children by taking a tag from the tree and purchasing the wish-list item requested by the foster child.

Every year, Pride Stores also sells $1 ornaments in each of its 30 locations during the month of December. All of the proceeds from the sales go directly to MaryAnne’s Kids Fund.

WARE — Country Bank has promoted several employees in recognition for their dedication and professionalism while serving customers and the community.

Team members who were promoted include Lisa DiMarzio, vice president, compliance; Dale Mazanec, vice president, asset mitigation; Bob Olivier, vice president, retail lending; Linda Haley, commercial operations officer; Erin Mascroft, human resources and administrative services officer; Kendra Radner, credit officer; and Tracey Wrzesien, regional business development officer.

“Our staff works hard to ensure we’re delivering the best banking experience to our customers,” said Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. “When our team members excel in their roles, as these individuals have, we are committed to encouraging their growth. We’re proud of their contributions to the bank’s success.”

SPRINGFIELD — Merchants Bancshares Inc. announced the completion of the merger with Springfield-based NUVO Bank & Trust Co. NUVO’s banking business will be operated as a division of Merchants Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merchants.

Total compensation paid by Merchants for NUVO’s outstanding stock comprises approximately 517,100 shares of common stock and $5.1 million in cash. Merchants also paid an aggregate of approximately $878,000 to cash out NUVO stock options and a portion of its common-stock warrants and issued replacement warrants to purchase Merchants common stock on adjusted terms.

With completion of the merger, Merchants Bancshares now has consolidated assets of approximately $2.0 billion and 33 banking locations, including the new office in Springfield.

“We are pleased to welcome NUVO’s clients, employees, and shareholders to our bank,” said Geoffrey Hesslink, Merchants Bank president and CEO. “We are excited to expand our footprint beyond Vermont and entering the Springfield and Greater Western Massachusetts commercial banking market. We look forward to providing our new customers with Merchants’ exceptional service and banking products, supported by our growing team that now includes NUVO’s banking professionals.”

Donald Chase, chair of NUVO’s board of directors, will join the boards of directors of Merchants Bancshares and Merchants Bank. Joining Merchants Bank’s management team are M. Dale Janes, NUVO’s CEO, who will serve as Merchants Bank’s regional president, Western Mass.; and Jeffrey Sattler, NUVO’s president and chief loan officer, who will serve as Merchants Bank’s managing director for Western Mass.

“The board and management of Merchants are delighted to have successfully completed this strategic acquisition and welcome Don Chase to the board,” said Merchants Bancshares President and CEO Michael Tuttle.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall will host “Santa Cares” on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 9 to 11 a.m., allowing children with special needs to be welcomed into a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical, and developmental needs.

The event is a result of a joint partnership between AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special-needs community, and the Noerr Programs, a leading marketing and digital-imaging company providing the Santa and Easter Bunny photo experience at malls nationwide.

“Every family of children with special needs has probably had at least one mall photo moment that was less than ideal. A traditionally heartwarming experience can become overwhelming, and, as a result, many special-needs families opt not to partake in this tradition,” said Sheryl Young, CEO of AbilityPath.org. “With the help of Holyoke Mall, we are changing that. We have worked together to lessen potential triggers, by having the event occur during private mall hours and making other slight adjustments that provide a calmer, sensory-friendly environment for all children to enjoy.”

Lisa Wray, director of Marketing at Holyoke Mall, noted that “we are thrilled to be the venue for this incredible event. Santa Cares brings joy to children with special needs in our community, and it is truly an honor to be involved in this program.”

Added Judy Noerr, CEO of the Noerr Programs, “Santa Cares fulfills our dream of providing a comforting and physically accommodating experience for families with children that have special needs. We appreciate the participation of Holyoke Mall in expanding this program, allowing more families to share the magic and tradition of the holidays.”

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and continues until 11 a.m. in Café Square at Holyoke Mall. Families are encouraged to RSVP prior to the event at www.abilitypath.org.

CHICOPEE — Chicopee Industrial Contractors at 107 North Chicopee St. will host “Mornings with the Mayor” on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 8 to 9 a.m.

Coffee and light refreshments will be served while Mayor Richard Kos shares important updates on what’s happening in the city of Chicopee, including the revitalization efforts and the Police Department’s initiatives. The event is also an opportunity for questions and open dialogue.

This event is for Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce members only and is free, but registration is required so that the host business knows how many will be attending. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org.