Picture This
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Driving Toward Literacy
Balise Toyota recently made a $5,000 donation to Link to Libraries for the Stephen Kaplan and Susan Jaye-Kaplan Community Legacy Fund, which has been matched by Toyota Motor Sales through the Toyota Dealer Match Program, resulting in a $10,000 total donation. Link to Libraries distributes books to local schools and children in need, and the legacy fund supports special requests of books beyond what the organization’s programs typically provide.
Pictured, from left: Ken Maffia, general manager of Balise Toyota; Laurie Flynn, president and CEO of Link to Libraries; and Ben Sullivan, COO of Balise Auto Group.
Community Giving
Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty (left) and Executive Vice President and COO Michael Rouette (right), who also serves as board chair and chief volunteer officer of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, recently presented a $3,000 donation to the Scantic Valley YMCA branch. They met with YMCA of Greater Springfield President and CEO Dexter Johnson (second from left) and branch Executive Director Debbie Kelder (third from left) to deliver the gift in person. The Scantic Valley YMCA earned this donation by being one of the top 10 vote recipients in Monson Savings Bank’s 2025 Community Giving Initiative.
YMCA of Greater Springfield President and CEO Dexter Johnson (second from left) and branch Executive Director Debbie Kelder (third from left)
Bikes Fight Cancer
The Bikes Fight Cancer Charity Ride, powered by Valley Solar, took place on June 14, starting and finishing at Tree House Brewing Co. in Deerfield. Hundreds of participants rode distances from 25 to 50 miles in honor of those impacted by cancer, supported by volunteers along the way. This year’s ride raised a record $250,000 in rider donations, 100% of it supporting critical research initiatives, local cancer care programs, and patient services at organizations like the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, CHD’s Cancer House of Hope, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Cancer Connection. (Photo by Simple Truth Imaging)
The Bikes Fight Cancer Charity Ride, powered by Valley Solar, took place on June 14, starting and finishing at Tree House Brewing Co. in Deerfield (Photo by Simple Truth Imaging)
Open for Outpatient Care
To mark the completion of construction of the S. Prestley and Helen Blake Ambulatory Care Center at Johnson Memorial Hospital’s outpatient campus in Enfield, a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony were held on June 26. The 42,000-square-foot center features outpatient surgical services with four operating rooms, two procedure rooms, and 20 pre- and post-operative bays, as well as diagnostic imaging services including CT scans, X-rays, mammography, bone density scans, and ultrasounds. The Blakes, longtime supporters of Johnson Memorial Hospital, donated $10 million toward the ambulatory care center named in their honor.
To mark the completion of construction of the S. Prestley and Helen Blake Ambulatory Care Center at Johnson Memorial Hospital’s outpatient campus in Enfield, a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony were held on June 26
Janis Santos Scholarship
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently awarded its 2025 Janis Santos Scholarship to Barbara Torres Marzan (right). She has been with HCS Head Start for close to four years and is currently an infant/toddler teacher. She was presented with the $2,000 scholarship to continue her studies at Springfield Technical Community College. Three years ago, the organization launched this annual recognition, created by Santos (left), former CEO of HCS Head Start, to support current HCS staff, parents, and Head Start alumni who are pursuing a degree in early education and care but may be encountering financial hardship.
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently awarded its 2025 Janis Santos Scholarship to Barbara Torres Marzan (right); Janis Santos (left)
New & Notable Business Expo
On June 5, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual New & Notable Business Expo at the Inn on Boltwood, showcasing more than 25 of the chamber’s newest members and their products and services. Presented by Integrity Development & Construction, this summer event brought together more than 100 community members to network, explore, and celebrate the latest additions to the Greater Amherst business landscape.
On June 5, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual New & Notable Business Expo at the Inn on Boltwood. (Photo by Alexia Cota Photography)
