HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber is inviting businesses, professionals, local leaders, and community partners from across Western Mass. to participate in the 58th annual Chamber Cup on Friday, Sept. 25 at Westover Golf Course. Registration is now open for the annual event, which brings together the regional business community for a day of golf, networking, visibility, and relationship building.

The Chamber Cup offers companies and organizations a valuable way to connect outside the traditional meeting setting. Participants can build business relationships, strengthen team connections, and engage with professionals from across the region in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The event is open to chamber members and non-members alike, making it a regional opportunity for businesses looking to expand their reach and community presence.

Businesses can participate in several ways, including registering a foursome, becoming an event sponsor, sponsoring a hole or meal, donating raffle prizes, or volunteering during the event. Each option offers a different path to visibility and engagement, whether a company wants to host clients, recognize employees, promote its brand, or support a signature community event.

The day will include golf at Westover Golf Course, breakfast, lunch, raffles, and opportunities to connect with business owners, executives, public officials, nonprofit leaders, and professionals from throughout Western Mass. For sponsors and raffle donors, the event provides added exposure before and during the tournament, helping businesses stay visible among a broad and engaged audience.

The Greater Holyoke Chamber encourages businesses to register early, secure sponsorship opportunities, and plan now for participation in the 2026 Chamber Cup. Companies interested in playing, sponsoring, donating raffle prizes, or volunteering can visit holyokechamber.com or contact the chamber for more information.

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber invites the entire community to its annual St. Patrick’s Breakfast, presented by Witman Properties, PeoplesBank, HG&E, bankESB, and Greenfield Cooperative Bank. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 a.m. at the Log Cabin. This traditional gathering offers an opportunity for residents, business leaders, community leaders, and community members to reconnect, celebrate local achievements, and honor this year’s distinguished award recipients.

The breakfast serves as a cornerstone event for the Greater Holyoke area, bringing together hundreds of individuals to celebrate the city’s rich heritage and vibrant future. Building on a year filled with meaningful community engagement — including a successful food drive, numerous new business ribbon cuttings, and a host of collaborative initiatives — the chamber is proud to continue fostering connections that strengthen the fabric of Holyoke. This year, the chamber aims to make the celebration the largest in recent memory, rallying the community to support business owners and civic leaders as awardees.

Award presentations will be complemented by a raffle featuring a variety of prizes. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to submit raffle prizes, further highlighting their commitment to the community, while attendees are invited to purchase raffle tickets in advance or at the breakfast to support the chamber’s efforts. As an added highlight, crowd favorites Last Night’s Fun will return to perform, bringing atmosphere and entertainment to the breakfast.

Businesses interested in maximizing their participation are invited to purchase tables, ensuring strong visibility for their teams and organizations. Visit holyokechamber.com to register as a guest or sponsor, and secure raffle tickets as well.

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber is issuing an urgent appeal to the business community and all Greater Holyoke residents. With SNAP benefits discontinued for nearly half of the community, many families now face the prospect of food insecurity and serious financial distress.

“The chamber, as a proud representative of local businesses, the broader community, and as organizer of the Holyoke Farmers Market, recognizes our responsibility at the vital intersection where business and community meet,” it stated. “Now more than ever, we are counting on businesses, organizations, and individuals to join us in meeting this challenge. We are launching a food drive to provide immediate support and ensure local families have access to shelf-stable food and essential supplies during this critical time and going forward.”

The chamber is seeking donations of non-perishable food items, baby supplies, and toiletries. High-need items include beans, rice, grains, oatmeal, nut butters, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, pasta, sauce, shelf-stable milk, baby food, diapers, and toiletries. Monetary contributions (cash, check, or digital payments) are also welcomed, and every donation will be converted directly into non-perishable food or grocery store gift cards for local families in need.

Donations can be dropped off at the Greater Holyoke Chamber office by appointment or during regular business hours: Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The chamber is also working to extend its hours for Thursday and Friday and add additional drop-off locations for community convenience, with updates to follow via social media and its homepage.

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke Chamber announced the recipients of the 2024 Grow Holyoke Awards, a celebration of outstanding leadership and commitment to the community. This year’s event will honor remarkable individuals and organizations making significant strides in Holyoke. The chamber will also recognize chamber members celebrating company milestones.

The awards event will take place on Friday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Mill 1 at Open Square, an evening of dinner, dancing, and community recognition.

• The Business Persons of the Year are Miguel Rivera and Lidia Rodriguez, owners of Rewarding Insurance Agency. Their leadership and dedication have set a new benchmark for excellence in the business community, making them the first Latino recipients of this prestigious honor since the award’s inception in 1971.

• The Business of the Year is Rewarding Insurance Agency, celebrated for its impactful contributions to both the chamber and the local community.

• The Fifield Volunteer of the Year is Carl Eger, a longtime resident and dedicated volunteer, recognized for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others in Holyoke.

• The Nonprofit of the Year is River Valley Counseling Center, honored for its vital role in supporting mental health and wellness in the community.

Those being celebrated with milestones include BusinessWest, the Republican, PVTA, the Dowd Agencies, Holyoke Farmers Market, Enlace de Familias, WestMass ElderCare, the Plan, and RCollab.

Event sponsors include PeoplesBank, Holyoke Medical Center, River Valley Counseling Center, CubeSmart, and WestMass Eldercare, whose support makes this event possible. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit holyokechamber.com for more information and to purchase tickets.