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Loomis Communities, Stone Soul Inc. to Honor Six Women Leaders on March 19

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Loomis Communities will host a Women’s History Month celebration in partnership with Stone Soul Inc., where six women leaders in the region will be honored with Stone Soul’s Rebecca Johnson Award, on Thursday, March 19 at noon at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, 807 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

The Rebecca Johnson Women’s History Award, named in remembrance of the first Black principal hired by the Springfield Public School district, will be given to six women leaders who embody Johnson’s legacy of leadership and service. The recipients all demonstrate a strong passion for the Springfield community; exemplify superb professional qualities and a positive attitude; and actively promote, mentor, and support other women.

This year’s honorees are Gloria Williams, Veronica McNair, Zaida Govan, Latonia Monroe-Naylor, Samantha Hamilton, and Ella Holman. The event, which is invitation-only and not open to the general public, will also allow attendees to celebrate the 82nd birthday of Jay Griffin, a founder of Stone Soul.

“We are happy to celebrate and host these incredible women who all have served the community in ways that make better the lives of others,” said Margaret Mantoni, president and CEO of the Loomis Communities. “We appreciate working with Stone Soul Inc., an important community organization right in our backyard that represents a bedrock organization for our neighbors in the Mason Square community.”

Williams concluded a 21-year tenure as a principal in the Springfield Public Schools, and her service was honored with the 2019 Educational Legacy Achievement Award. She now serves as president of the consulting firm Coalition of Experienced Black Educators Inc.

McNair is president and CEO of Hickory Street Harambee, an annual festival dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and legacy of the historic Harambee movement. In addition to her civic leadership, she is a professional counselor in Springfield.

Govan represents Ward 8 as a Springfield city councilor and is a leader within the Indian Orchard Neighborhood Council, where she has been instrumental in ensuring local development projects create a thriving environment for residents of all ages. With a master’s degree in social work, she also supports residents navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

Hamilton is director of Coalition Building & Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, where she leads several initiatives committed to the well-being of those living in Springfield and the region. She is also co-founder of A Queen’s Narrative, a platform designed to provide a safe, inclusive space for women and girls to harness their personal and collective power.

Monroe Naylor is a nonprofit and business leader who has been a member of the Springfield School Committee since 2018. She is also president and CEO of Parent Villages, a nonprofit providing two-generational educational programs for families impacted by violence and trauma.

Holman rose through the ranks to become assistant manager of Food Services for Springfield Public Schools. Today, she continues her service as a volunteer with the Urban League of Springfield’s Foster Grandparent Program, where she acts as a mentor and role model for children with exceptional needs.

Stone Soul Inc. organizes the annual Stone Soul Festival, which, in its 38th year, is a celebration of arts and culture, attracting more than 20,000 attendees every Labor Day weekend. The Loomis Communities comprises three senior living communities: Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield, Loomis Village in South Hadley, and Applewood in Amherst.

Loomis Communities to Host Chowder Bowl on Feb. 13 to Benefit Food Bank

By
Daily News

SOUTH HADLEY — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will be the beneficiary of a fun competition to select a favorite chowder hosted by the Loomis Communities. The Chowder Bowl will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at noon, and is free to the community with the suggested donation of a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The Chowder Bowl will take place simultaneously at all three Loomis Communities the Friday following the Super Bowl, with attendees participating in the taste testing event at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, 807 Wilbraham Road, Springfield; Loomis Village, 20 Bayon Dr., South Hadley; and Applewood, 1 Spencer Dr., Amherst.

This is a reservation-based event in order for each community to plan attendance accordingly, and RSVPs can be made at www.loomiscommunities.org/chowderbowl.

Each community will create their version of a chowder, with all three being offered for sampling at each of the Loomis Communities. Attendees will vote for their favorite chowder, votes will be tallied at all three communities, and the favorite will be announced.

The Loomis Communities, the longest-serving provider of senior living in the Pioneer Valley, has a reputation for its culinary offerings. The executive chefs at each of the three communities have created their own chowder recipes, to be presented at the Chowder Bowl: Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing will present Nova Scotia seafood chowder, Loomis Village will present New England clam chowder, and Applewood will present Mexican street corn chowder.

“It’s football bowl season, and with our beloved Patriots making it to the Super Bowl, we felt this was the ideal time to host the community in a friendly competition to find our favorite version of chowder while benefiting another beloved institution, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts,” said Margaret Mantoni, president and CEO of the Loomis Communities.

“Food insecurity continues to demand our attention in the region, and we hope through the Chowder Bowl to raise awareness of the great work of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and address in a small way the needs of individuals and families who are confronting many economic challenges at the peak of the winter season,” she added. “We hope to warm hearts and help fill a few bellies by this friendly competition that will engage our entire community.”

While no one will be denied admission to the free chowder competition, attendees are strongly encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Headquartered in Chicopee, the Food Bank has been partnering with the community to end hunger in the region for more than 40 years. Serving the four counties of Western Mass., the organization sources, stores, and provides more than 17 million pounds of food a year — the equivalent of more than 14 million meals.

“More than 135,000 people seek food assistance every month across the four counties of Western Massachusetts,” said Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank. “We carry out our mission to build lasting food security by providing nutritious food and partnering with communities to end hunger. We are grateful to Loomis Communities for their partnership.”

The Loomis Communities will air its own local Super Bowl commercial on Feb. 8, raising regional awareness about the event and encouraging attendance at the Chowder Bowl.