River Valley Co-op’s Strawberry Ice Cream Social Raises $26,358 for Tapestry Health
EASTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op celebrated the arrival of summer and the local strawberry harvest with more than 850 community members attending its annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social fundraiser to benefit Tapestry Health. This local community nonprofit committed to inclusive community health care was the co-op’s 2026 Non-Profit Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award winner selected by the board of directors.
The June dinner party fundraising celebration with local food and live music on the Easthampton store’s patio, in combination with the co-op’s June Change for Change community giving round-up at the register in both stores, resulted in $26,358.90 raised for Tapestry Health. Together, these community-driven efforts will support Tapestry’s mission of providing inclusive, accessible healthcare services and resources throughout the region.
During the event, Emma Woebbe, River Valley Co-op board president, presented the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award to Tapestry Health in recognition of the organization’s outstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community. Now in its 17th year, the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award honors individuals and organizations that embody the cooperative principle of ‘concern for community’ through exceptional service and leadership.
Guests of all ages enjoyed an evening featuring strawberry sundaes made with locally grown strawberries and locally produced Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream. The outdoor dinner included grilled burgers made with the co-op’s fresh ground local beef as well as vegetarian burgers, fresh sweet corn, house-made potato salad, and cole slaw. A record number of community members totaling over 850 people gathered together to visit and dine together with friends and neighbors on the co-op patio, participating in family-friendly activities. Many danced to live music from the Gaslight Tinkers, whose energetic performance kept the celebration lively throughout the evening.
“The incredible turnout and generosity of our community demonstrates the power of cooperation and collective action,” said Rochelle Prunty, general manager of River Valley Co-op. “We are grateful to everyone who attended and bought food benefiting Tapestry Health as well as the customers who rounded up their purchases at the register in June donating, through our Change for Change program to support this year’s fundraiser. Together, we are helping Tapestry Health continue its important work serving our community. At this time of such big challenges in our healthcare system, their work is more important than ever.”
The annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social has become a beloved tradition to welcome summer with a celebration that champions local farmers and local food producers and the many ways the community’s cooperative spirit shines.
