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Historic Restoration

Greenfield Savings Bank recently celebrated the grand opening of the newly restored Leavitt-Hovey House. Hosted in partnership with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the bank’s nearly $7 million restoration of the historic 1797 property at 402 Main St. The restored property will house the bank’s Trust & Wealth Management Division, as well as its Residential Lending and Cash Management departments. Retail banking services in Greenfield will continue to operate at the 400 Main St. branch. Pictured: President and CEO Peter Albero and Pamela Stobierski, board chair, cut the ribbon at the event.

Gone to the Dogs

The Foundation for TJO Animals held its annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K & Fun Walk on May 2, raising more than $58,000 to benefit animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. The foundation’s signature event brought in a record-breaking 373 registered participants alongside their families and pets to honor the animals who have changed their lives, and to support those still waiting for care and compassion. Patrons enjoyed music, raffles, vendors, food trucks, inflatable games, and superhero-themed activities. Now in its fourth year, the Jack Rome Memorial 5K & Fun Walk has raised more than $190,000 for the foundation’s mission.

Catching the Vision

The Greenfield Business Association (GBA) is celebrating a new phase of growth, investment, and fundraising. Local business owner Merrill Gagne’s $25,000 challenge gift early in 2025 helped catalyze a broader wave of support for the organization’s vision. The challenge was met by area philanthropists and business owners and inspired a successful event at JaDuke Theater in February that raised $31,477. Pictured, from left: Natty Hussey, Nick Waynelovich, Samantha Myburgh,  Mike Audet, Kim Williams, Hannah Rechtschaffen, Daniel Piasecki, Bill Baker, and Mik Muller.

Children’s Book Drive

Holyoke Credit Union (HCU) announced the successful completion of its 2026 Children’s Book Drive. Through donations collected throughout the campaign, HCU gathered a total of 534 children’s books valued at more than $4,100. In addition to books donated by employees and members, HCU also committed additional monetary contributions, including the purchase of an additional $1,000 worth of children’s books from a local small business member in West Springfield. Book donations collected through the drive are being distributed to local schools and students across the Pioneer Valley.

Community College Innovation Challenge

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has been selected as one of only 12 finalist teams nationwide in the 2026 Community College Innovation Challenge, a prestigious competition hosted by the American Assoc. of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation. STCC’s finalist project, HydroShield, is a replaceable washing machine filter designed to capture microplastic fibers before they enter waterways. Pictured, from left: UMass graduate student Miro Leeb with three STCC students who worked on the HydroShield project: Sophia Landrau, Vincent Githiri, and Shahmeer Ali.

HCC Foundation Scholarships

The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation awarded $405,000 in scholarships to students for the 2026-27 academic year. The foundation awarded 438 scholarships to 422 incoming, current, and transferring HCC students. Some students received multiple scholarship awards. Individual awards range from $500 to $5,000. HCC celebrated this year’s recipients and donors at a scholarship reception on May 14. Pictured: HCC student Araba Murray-Adoboe celebrates her scholarship award with her family and HCC President George Timmons.