![](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Difference-Makers-Logo-e1530199648729-1140x620.jpg)
Scenes from the 2018 Difference Makers Celebration
A Look at the March 22 Event
More than 375 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House on March 22 to honor BusinessWest’s 2018 Difference Makers. Launched in 2009, the program recognizes groups and individuals across the region that are making a difference in their community. The honorees this year were: Bob Bolduc, CEO of Pride Stores; Bob ‘the Bike Man’ Charland, founder of Pedal Thru Youth; Girls Inc. of Holyoke; Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin; Crystal Senter-Brown, author and adjunct faculty member at Bay Path University; and the WillPower Foundation.
Our 2018 Difference Makers:
Bob Bolduc, CEO of Pride Stores
Bob “The Bike Man” Charland, Founder of Pedal Thru Youth
Girls Inc. of Holyoke
Evan Plotkin, President of NAI Plotkin
Crystal Senter-Brown, Author & Adjunct Faculty at Bay Path University
WillPower Foundation
Photography by Leah Martin Photography
![From event sponsor Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., from](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7863-1.png)
From event sponsor Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., from left: Adam Kuzdzal, Deborah Penzias, Josh Messer, Julie Quink, Tom Pratt, Carol LaCour, Rebecca Connolly, Stephanie Tobin, and Sarah Lapolice.
![From event sponsor Health New England](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7880-1.png)
From event sponsor Health New England, from left: Peggy Garand, Vivian Williams, Brendaliz Torres, Sandra Ruiz, Ashley Allen, Matt Sturgis (guest of HNE), and Jessica Dupont.
![Gina Kos (left) and Michelle Depelteau from event sponsor Sunshine Village.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0617.png)
Gina Kos (left) and Michelle Depelteau from event sponsor Sunshine Village.
![Sr. Kathleen Popko (left) and Sr. Mary Caritas from the Sisters of Providence, a 2013 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BW-LEAH-PORTRAITS-115.png)
Sr. Kathleen Popko (left) and Sr. Mary Caritas from the Sisters of Providence, a 2013 Difference Maker.
![Bob Bolduc, founder of Pride Stores and a 2018 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM1_2756-1.png)
Bob Bolduc, founder of Pride Stores and a 2018 Difference Maker.
![From 2018 Difference Maker the WillPower Foundation, from left: Sabrina Aasheim, Jeff Palm, and Maria Burke.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0669.png)
From 2018 Difference Maker the WillPower Foundation, from left: Sabrina Aasheim, Jeff Palm, and Maria Burke.
![From left: Kate Kane of Northwestern Mutual, a 2009 Difference Maker, with Nick LaPier, CPA and BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0563.png)
From left: Kate Kane of Northwestern Mutual, a 2009 Difference Maker, with Nick LaPier, CPA and BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti.
![Bill Ward, a 2009 Difference Maker, with Joanne Lyons](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0712-e1522418147689-399x450.png)
Bill Ward, a 2009 Difference Maker, with Joanne Lyons of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County.
![Carol Leary, a 2016 Difference Maker, with 2018 Difference Maker Evan Plotkin](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0567-e1522418242380-389x450.png)
Bay Path University President Carol Leary, a 2016 Difference Maker, with 2018 Difference Maker Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin.
![Tricia Canavan of United Personnel with Scott Foster of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas and also Valley Venture Mentors, a 2016 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BW-LEAH-PORTRAITS-73.png)
Tricia Canavan of United Personnel with Scott Foster of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas and also Valley Venture Mentors, a 2016 Difference Maker.
![Sandra Ruiz, left, and Brendaliz Torres, from event sponsor Health New England.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM1_2509-1.png)
Sandra Ruiz, left, and Brendaliz Torres, from event sponsor Health New England.
![Bob Bolduc, left, with Bob ‘the Bike Man’ Charland, two of 2018’s Difference Makers.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7881-1.png)
Bob Bolduc, left, with Bob ‘the Bike Man’ Charland, two of 2018’s Difference Makers.
![Representing event sponsor Sunshine Village](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7901-1.png)
Representing event sponsor Sunshine Village, front row: Gina Kos (left) and Michelle Depelteau; back row: Peter Benton, Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos, Kelly Chmura, Maria Laflamme, Amie Miarecki, Colleen Brosnan, and Michael Siddal.
![Tanzania Cannon-Ecklerle from event sponsor Royal, P.C. with Joe Ecklerle of Pelican Products and Brew Practitioners.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BW-LEAH-PORTRAITS-95.png)
Tanzania Cannon-Ecklerle from event sponsor Royal, P.C. with Joe Ecklerle of Pelican Products and Brew Practitioners.
![From 2018 Difference Maker Girls Inc. of Holyoke](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7816-1.png)
From 2018 Difference Maker Girls Inc. of Holyoke, from left: Johana (Stella’s mother), Stella, Haley, Kylie (Haley’s mother), Emhanie, Brandy Wilson, Becky Bouchard, and Suzanne Parker.
![Staff from NAI Plotkin turn out to celebrate 2018 Difference Maker Evan Plotkin.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7893-1.png)
Staff from NAI Plotkin turn out to celebrate 2018 Difference Maker Evan Plotkin.
![Patrick O’Neil and Katie O’Neil from 2018 Difference Maker the WillPower Foundation.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BW-LEAH-PORTRAITS-64-e1522418581397.png)
Patrick O’Neil and Katie O’Neil from 2018 Difference Maker the WillPower Foundation.
![Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0836-e1522418635240-394x450.png)
Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos.
![Crystal Senter-Brown, left, and Suzanne Parker](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7804-1.png)
Crystal Senter-Brown, left, and Suzanne Parker of Girls Inc. in Holyoke, both 2018 Difference Makers.
![Bob Perry, retired CPA, a 2011 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM1_2514-1-e1522418741500-372x450.png)
Bob Perry, retired CPA, a 2011 Difference Maker.
![Kim Lee of the Center for Human Development.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0781-e1522418785215-389x450.png)
Kim Lee of the Center for Human Development.
![Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, accepts his award as a 2018 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM1_2734-1.png)
Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, accepts his award as a 2018 Difference Maker.
![Will Burke, the namesake and inspiration for the WillPower Foundation, a 2018 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM1_2621-1.png)
Will Burke, the namesake and inspiration for the WillPower Foundation, a 2018 Difference Maker.
![Stella and Emhanie, two of the girls from Girls Inc. of Holyoke, a 2018 Difference Maker.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RWP0874-e1522418931519.png)
Stella and Emhanie, two of the girls from Girls Inc. of Holyoke, a 2018 Difference Maker.
![Bob Charland celebrates his 2018 Difference Maker award with fiancée Joanne Hansmann.](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_8067-1-e1522419055967-450x436.png)
Bob Charland celebrates his 2018 Difference Maker award with fiancée Joanne Hansmann.
![George O’Brien hands the 2018 Difference Maker award to Crystal Senter-Brown](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_8000-1-e1522419148658-450x413.png)
BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien hands the 2018 Difference Maker award to Crystal Senter-Brown.
![The WillPower Foundation](https://businesswest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LM2_7949-1.png)
The WillPower Foundation’s Jeff Palm, Maria Burke, Sarah Aasheim, Will Burke, and Craig Burke accept their 2018 Difference Maker award from BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien (right).