Home Posts tagged United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region

Florence Bank Donates $73,520 to United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region

By
Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently announced a gift of $73,520 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Florence Bank provided direct support of $50,000, and its employees pledged an additional $23,520 as part of the bank’s annual workplace campaign. The combined gift will be used to support the annual Diaper Drive, food insecurity efforts, the Ski United event, and several event sponsorships.

“Once again, our team members stepped up and showed how much they care about helping their fellow neighbors,” said Matt Garrity, president and CEO of Florence Bank. “I’m humbled by their generosity and proud of their dedication to help those less fortunate.”

In addition to financial support, Florence Bank will help lead the United Way’s 2026 annual campaign, which kicked off on Oct. 9. Garrity will serve as campaign co-chair along with Eric Mills, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Mayhew Tools in Turners Falls.

“I’m excited to be out in the community, supporting the United Way and asking organizations and individuals to join us in supporting such a great organization,” Garrity said. “The need in the community is real, and supporting our neighbors is integral to Florence Bank’s mission, vision, and values.”

Holly Martineau, United Way’s director of Development, said the financial goal is to increase giving as much over the $1.2 million raised in 2025 as possible, and to encourage organizations and individuals to double their gifts from last year.

“Our efforts this year are to have as many people double down as possible,” Martineau added. “We’re trying to do as much as we can as an organization to support our partners in the community who do so much for individuals in need. Our partners are being asked to do so much more with much less. The social safety net is diminishing every day.”

Geoff Naunheim, executive director of the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region, said he hopes Florence Bank’s commitment will encourage other organizations and individuals to consider increasing — or doubling — their pledges.

“It’s early in the campaign, but we’re already seeing an increase in employee giving,” Naunheim said. “People know it’s a hard time. They’re helping us support a healthier, more resilient community.”

bankESB Donates $50,000 to United Way

By
Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently made donations of $50,000 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region.

Employees pledged more than $15,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United WabankESB banky workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s dollar-for-dollar match and additional corporate contribution, the campaign total of $50,000 will be donated to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. The campaign lets employees donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

“bankESB and our employees are proud to support the United Way in its mission to unlock the full potential of our friends, neighbors, and communities in need throughout Western Massachusetts,” bankESB President and CEO Matthew Sosik said.

As a long-time contributor, the bank and its employees have donated more than $740,000 to United Way organizations in Western Mass. in the last 13 years. The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.

United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region Announces New Executive Director

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region announced that Geoff Naunheim will take on the role of executive director. The UWFH board of directors voted unanimously to offer him the position at its October meeting, and he accepted. Naunheim, who has served as interim executive director since the departure of former Executive Director John Bidwell in April, brings five years of experience within the organization.

“The board of directors is really pleased that Geoff will continue in the executive director role after his period as interim ED,” said Andrea Sell, board president. “He brings a great deal of experience from within the organization, knowledge of the region and our partner agencies, and strong leadership skills. We look forward to Geoff’s role in shaping the future of our United Way.”

Most of Naunheim’s tenure at United Way has been spent running its Community Investment program, a term used to describe the community-informed process of distributing community funds and creating partnerships with local nonprofits that are addressing the greatest needs of the region. Naunheim was also instrumental in developing and expanding United Way’s Diaper Bank, which distributes over 100,000 diapers a year across Franklin and Hampshire counties.

Before joining United Way’s Development team in 2017, Naunheim worked in the development departments of two nonprofits focused on education and literacy. He is currently the board president of the Council of Social Agencies of Hampshire County.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this organization as it heads into its second century,” he said. “I feel incredibly lucky to be starting this role with such a strong staff and board. I couldn’t do this without them and look forward to continuing the hard work of serving our community together.”