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Monson Savings Bank Pledges $20,000 to Educare Springfield

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced a pledge of $20,000 to Educare Springfield, reinforcing its commitment to early childhood education and community development. The donation was commemorated with the unveiling of Monson Savings Bank’s name on Educare’s interactive donor wall.

The celebration brought together key leaders from both organizations, including Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty and Executive Vice President and COO Michael Rouette, alongside Educare Springfield Executive Director Nikki Burnett, who also serves on Monson Savings Bank’s board of directors and trustees, and School Director Amy Stec.

“We are proud to support Educare Springfield and the incredible work they do to ensure every child has access to high-quality early education,” Moriarty said. “This investment reflects our belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities.”

Rouette added that “it’s inspiring to see the impact Educare is making in Springfield. We’re honored to be part of their mission and look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the children and families they serve.”

Educare Springfield is part of a national network of early childhood schools that use data-driven practices to prepare children for success in school and life. Educare believes that everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve their dreams, and it starts by leveling the playing field from an early age.

“Monson Savings Bank’s support means so much to our organization,” Burnett said. “Their generosity helps us continue providing innovative, research-based education to our youngest learners. As someone who serves both organizations, I see firsthand how closely aligned our values are, especially our shared commitment to empowering the community through education and opportunity.”

Stec added that “having Monson Savings Bank’s name on our donor wall is a powerful symbol of partnership. It shows our children and families that the community believes in them and their potential.”

Educare Springfield Executive Director Joins National, Local Boards

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nikki Burnett, executive director of Educare Springfield, the nation’s 24th Educare early-education center, has been appointed to a number of national Educare-related boards, including the Educare Learning Network (ELN) collaborative fundraising advisory board, which finds opportunities for greater financial sustainability of the ELN through enhanced fundraising programming.

Burnett, the first executive director of Educare Springfield, has also joined the Red Nose Day advisory board, which provides guidance over the grant from Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day Fund on behalf of the ELN. Burnett has also joined the Educare Policy Work Group, which guides and supports the collective network’s engagement in early-childhood policy and advocacy, and the Educare Learning Network steering committee, which informs the direction of the annual meeting.

Locally, Burnett has also joined a number of local serving boards, including the board of trustees of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, as well as the boards of Holyoke Community College Foundation and Dress for Success.

Burnett was raised in the Mason Square neighborhood, attended neighborhood public schools, and earned her undergraduate degree in leadership and organizational science from Bay Path University. She will be completing her master’s degree in leadership and negotiation from Bay Path in 2020.

Before joining Educare, Burnett served as regional vice president of Multicultural Initiatives for the American Heart Assoc., where she worked throughout the New England region to build capacity and support revenue generation around community health and education initiatives.

She has more than a decade of leadership experience and, prior to her position with the American Heart Assoc., worked at Baystate Health as education coordinator of Cardiopulmonary Services. At Baystate, she managed three cardiology fellowship programs.

Burnett also has been actively involved in other community organizations in Springfield and in the region, having served on the board of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, the Baystate Health community benefits advisory board, and Live Well Springfield, an organization that promotes a culture of health in Springfield.

Located at 100 Hickory St., Educare Springfield opened in January 2020 and offers a full-day, full-year program for children birth to age 5. Currently, there are 24 Educare schools located in 15 states across the country, including urban and suburban communities.