HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College Foundation raised more than $181,000 for scholarships and student-support programs during its “Together HCC” one-day giving campaign on March 4.

The fifth annual “Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives” campaign exceeded its goal of 500 donors, receiving donations worth $181,285 from 504 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college during the 24-hour fundraising drive.

“For the fifth straight year, our network of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends continue to show how much they care about HCC students,” said Julie Phillips, HCC’s director of Development. “With so many people giving what they can, it shows our students that we are invested in their success.”

All of the money raised goes directly to six areas that support HCC students: academic excellence and innovation, scholarships, the Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, the President’s Student Emergency Fund, the President’s Fund for Opportunity, and the HCC Foundation’s general, unrestricted fund.

HCC alumni made up the majority of donors at 37%, followed by 30% from HCC faculty and staff, 19% from friends of the college, 5% from parents, and 5% from students. Together, they unlocked $130,000 in challenge pledges, including $5,000 from campaign partner Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and a member of the HCC Foundation board of directors.

“Every gift to the ‘Together HCC’ campaign matters,” Phillips said. “When we remove barriers for one student, we’re not just changing their life; we’re transforming their family’s future and strengthening our entire region.”

Anyone who missed this year’s day of giving and still wants to contribute to the HCC Foundation can do so at hcc.edu/give.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College (HCC), has added four new members to its board of directors, including two alumni.

They include Rob Cestola, a certified public accountant and tax and finance consultant who serves as board treasurer for Dakin Humane Society; Dan Desrochers, director of Communications at Amherst College and former Marketing director at Greenfield Community College; Deborah Rodriguez, an HCC graduate from the class of 2004, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of FAROS Counseling Services; and Matt Manganelli, an HCC graduate from the class of 2009 and Retail Lending Sales manager at Westfield Bank who serves on the Western Mass. Mortgage Review Board for the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

“Attending Holyoke Community College and earning an accounting certificate was an important step in my return to higher education as an adult,” Manganelli said. “I went on to the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts, graduating with a BA in accounting, and then Western New England University for my master’s.”

New board members attended their first meeting on Dec. 3.

“We are thrilled to welcome these community leaders to the HCC Foundation board of directors,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation. “The expertise and unique perspectives that Rob, Dan, Deborah, and Matt bring to the board will strengthen our ability to advance the foundation’s mission, which is ultimately to support the success of every HCC student. This is such a committed and passionate board. Their leadership and good governance are what enables the HCC Foundation to be a strategic partner to the college.”

The HCC Foundation has total assets of $25.5 million and an endowment of $18 million, the largest of all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, due in large part to nearly 200 endowed scholarships and other funds established by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. In 2024, the HCC Foundation provided more than $6 million to the college to support scholarships, academic programs, student support services, and facility improvements.

In 2023, the HCC Foundation board of directors was recognized by the Assoc. of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges with the John W. Nason Award, a national honor that recognizes exceptional leadership and initiative.

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College Foundation awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students for the 2023-24 academic year.

This year, the HCC Foundation awarded 259 scholarships worth $304,125 to 249 incoming, current, and transferring HCC students. Many students received multiple scholarship awards.

The HCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that works to advance the college’s mission, vision, and values. Founded in 1968 as the Friends of Holyoke Community College in response to a devastating fire that forced the college to rebuild a new campus, the foundation now manages assets of more than $20 million, the largest community-college foundation endowment in Massachusetts.

An alphabetical list of all scholarship recipients and their awards can be viewed at hcc.edu/scholarships-2023.

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation shattered its annual Together HCC one-day giving campaign record in 2023, raising $251,859 in 24 hours for HCC scholarships and student-support programs.

Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college led a historic day of giving on April 25 during the third annual campaign.

Organizers had set a goal of 400 donors for the one-day fund drive. The final tally was 506. Last year, the Together HCC campaign raised $192,000 from 418 donors, itself a record.

“For the third straight year, the Together HCC campaign has exceeded expectations as our network of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends continue to show how much they care about HCC students,” said Julie Phillips, HCC’s interim director of Development. “With so many people giving what they can, it shows our students that we are invested in their success.”

HCC alumni made up the majority of donors at 43%, followed by HCC faculty and staff at 27%, with 18% from friends of the college, 5% from parents, and 4% from students. Donors gave from as far away as California and Hawaii. Together, they unlocked more than $140,000 in challenge pledges.

One of those came from campaign partner Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and Gary Rome Kia in Enfield, Conn., who donated $5,000.

“I am thrilled to celebrate yet another successful year of partnering with HCC for its Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives campaign,” Rome said. “It is truly remarkable to witness the generosity of our community as we come together to ensure that a college education remains accessible to all. I hope my example encourages others to help build a stronger community.”

HCC alum Arien Monti, who graduated in 2022 with her associate degree in marketing and business administration, said a scholarship from the HCC Foundation and a stipend from the President’s Student Emergency Fund were critical to her success at HCC.

“The student emergency fund helped with one month’s rent after my son and I had been homeless when I was a new student and rebuilding my life,” Monti said. “I am graduating this fall with my bachelor’s degree and am building my career in marketing and real estate thanks to HCC and the many alumni and friends who support students like me.”

Anyone who missed this year’s day of giving and still wants to contribute can do so at hcc.edu/drive.

HOLYOKE — Registration is now open for the Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation’s annual fundraising golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 13 at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

Last year’s golf tournament, the 33rd, was cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s tournament will recognize the 75th anniversary of Holyoke Community College. Proceeds ­will go toward student scholarships managed by the HCC Foundation, the college’s nonprofit fundraising arm.

The golf outing begins with an 11 a.m. buffet lunch followed by a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. After golf, participants can enjoy cocktails on the clubhouse porch with beautiful views of the Pioneer Valley, followed by a special dinner and celebration recognizing the 75th anniversary of Holyoke Community College.

“The HCC Foundation could not be more excited about our upcoming golf tournament,” said Patrick Carpenter, HCC’s director of Institutional Advancement. “This is our first tournament since 2019, and it couldn’t be happening at a better time. This is an opportunity to celebrate 75 years of excellence and programs and services that change students’ lives and lift up our region.”

Participants can arrange their own foursomes or sign up as singles. The $185 individual fee includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, dinner, and refreshments on the course. The cost is $740 per foursome.

Over the past 33 years, the annual HCC Foundation Golf Classic has raised more than $500,000 for HCC scholarships, student-support programs, and classroom technology. To register or sponsor the golf tournament, visit www.hcc.edu/golf.