Company Notebook

Friendly’s Restaurants Honored for Commitment to Easter Seals Programs
WINDSOR, Conn. — Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut recently honored Friendly’s Restaurants with the Corporate Leadership Award. The presentation was made at a Friendly’s restaurant in Springfield on April 15. Enfield and Manchester, Conn. stores were also recognized for their fund-raising success to benefit Easter Seals programs and services. Friendly’s has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 through coupon promotions featuring Valentine- and Halloween-themed offers and special events. Cumulatively, the Cones for Kids campaign has raised more than $28 million for Easter Seals, supporting recreational and social programs that give children with disabilities a sense of independence and accomplishment. The staying power of the program is testament to the commitment of both Friendly’s employees and customers, the company said. This year’s campaign featured two new elements. For a $2 donation to Easter Seals, children could receive a kid’s meal served on a Friendly’s Frisbee, and for a $1 donation, guests could get a discount card good for 10% off all purchases through May 18. Friendly’s restaurants also funded the update and redesign of Easter Seals’ award-winning disability-awareness curriculum, Friends Who Care. The program gives students the opportunity to learn what is involved when someone has a disability and how they adapt to live life, go to school, or work as independently as possible. “We’re proud to partner with Easter Seals and engage our employees, restaurant guests, and local communities in our cause,” said John Maguire, CEO and president of Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC. “We know that contributions to Easter Seals create life-changing solutions so that children with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.” Added Allen Gouse, president and CEO of Easter Seals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, “Easter Seals recognizes Friendly’s Restaurants’ generosity, caring, and commitment, and that is why they are so deserving of this year’s Corporate Leadership Award.”

Big Y Donates $30,000 to Wounded Warrior Project
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced that it has donated $30,000 to the national Wounded Warrior Project 2013 Believe in Heroes campaign. Wounded Warriors of Jacksonville, Fla. is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 2003 to honor and empower wounded soldiers. Its Believe in Heroes campaign provides financial and emotional support and tools to the more than 44,000 servicemen and women who have been wounded in recent military conflicts. Its ultimate goal is to provide assistance so that these soldiers can thrive and achieve personal and professional success. This is the third year that Big Y has been part of Wounded Warriors. To date, it has donated a total of $100,000. Through a partnership with the Acosta Food brokerage company, Big Y promoted the Believe in Heroes campaign through weekly specials in its ads and stores last fall. This initiative helped to raise the public’s awareness of Wounded Warriors’ unique and direct programs and services that meet the needs of those injured in service to their country. “Being an American-owned company, it is important for us to support our military in their fight to preserve our freedoms,” said Michael D’Amour, the supermarket chain’s executive vice president. We’re grateful to Big Y’s employee and customer families for their support of this important campaign.”

1550 Main Named Building of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Building Owners and Managers Assoc. (BOMA) has presented 1550 Main in Springfield with its Outstanding Building of the Year award in the Government category of the Middle Atlantic Conference. This is the second consecutive year the redevelopment of the former federal building has won the award. MassDevelopment purchased and undertook the renovation of the former federal office building in 2009 as part of a strategy to revitalize downtown Springfield. The redevelopment of 1550 Main, completed in 2010, included the creation of 130,000 square feet of office space; renovation of the central plaza with new plantings and seating; new entrances, lighting, and signs; lobby and atrium renovations; elevator modernization and replacement; restroom upgrades; and exterior envelope repairs. The building is more than 90% leased. “We are grateful and honored that BOMA has recognized our efforts to transform 1550 Main into a vibrant part of downtown Springfield,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “The building has played a key role in the city’s business and arts communities and will continue to increase economic activities in Springfield.”

STCC Introduces Interpreter Program
SPRINGFIELD — The need for medical and community interpreters is rapidly increasing, and so is the demand for trained professionals in the field. The Center for Business and Technology at Springfield Technical Community College will offer a nine-week certificate program designed to prepare individuals for an entry-level career as a medical and community interpreter. The program, developed and offered in collaboration with TransFluenci, a regional leader in translation and interpretation services, will prepare new and experienced interpreters to work in hospitals, health clinics, law offices, governmental agencies, and more, following the standards and ethics of the profession. The program meets the requirements of the International Medical Interpreters Assoc. for national certification. The program is open to all languages, but students must be able to fully comprehend and communicate in both English and at least one other language. Because a selective interview is required before acceptance, students must register well in advance. The college will issue the Medical and Community Interpreting Certificate upon satisfactory completion of this program, and participants receiving the certificate will be given the opportunity to interview with Global Link Translations & Interpreting Services for potential employment as interpreters. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., starting May 28. Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted. Interested individuals should visit www.stcc.edu/wd or call (413) 755-4502 for details and registration information.