Picture This

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Cold Cash

The leaders of Berkshire Bank and Hampden Bank recently challenged their employees to take part in the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised well over $100 million in just a few weeks. Above, the Berkshire Bank Foundation donated $50 for each of the first 50 employees who took part in the challenge and shared their videos on Facebook. More than 50 bank employees completed the challenge within the first three days, and the foundation will make a $2,500 contribution to the ALS Assoc., which provides care services to assist people with ALS and their families through a network of chapters working in communities across the nation, while maintaining a global research program focused on the discovery of treatments and eventually a cure for the disease. Meanwhile, Hampden Bank President Glenn Welch challenged his employees (bottom) to take the challenge and matched the $1,000 donation made by the employee dress-down fund, for a total of $2,000. “I think it’s really great that we were able to do this and get other companies involved to support such a great cause. We at Hampden Bank are always looking for ways to give back,” Welch said.

Block Party

On Aug. 21, Springfield College partnered with the Old Hill and Upper Hill Neighborhood Councils, HAPHousing, and the Partnership for the Renewal of Old Hill in hosting the 11th annual Block Party on the Hill. The event featured live music and free barbeque, along with information about housing, health, education, and community services. Children also enjoyed a bounce house and face painting. Pictured at top, from left, are Block Party Planning Committee members Mattie Lacewell,  Kathy Smith, Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, Sarah Page, Adrienne Osborne, Jill Russell, and Ethel Griffin.

Fore! … a Good Cause

The 34th annual Brightside Golf Classic drew 180 golfers to Springfield Country Club in West Springfield and Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. The event raised just over $108,500 to support Brightside for Families and Children in Holyoke, which provides in-home counseling and support to children and their families throughout Western Mass. Pictured, first row, from left: Brightside’s Maria Zygmont; Brightside Golf Classic co-chairs John Kendzierski, Steve Lowell, and William Wagner; and Brightside’s Mark Paglia. Second row, from left: Diane Dukette, vice president of Fund Development, SPHS; Martin Caine; Jeslyn Carr; Brightside Golf Classic co-chair Paul Fritz; Benjamin Coyle; Jay Babcock; and Daniel Moen, president and CEO of the Sisters of Providence Health System.