Page 40 - BusinessWest August 19, 2024

AGENDA>>
Women of Impact Nominations
Through Sept. 2: BusinessWest is now accept-
ing nominations for the seventh annual Women
of Impact awards. In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change. Women of Impact was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can hail from the world of busi- ness, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentor- ship community, a combination of these — in short, we’re recognizing inspirational women on any level. Since its inception, the women honored through this program have been successful, inspiring, and most importantly, impactful. Consider nominating someone for this prestigious award. Nominations for the class of 2024 are due by Monday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m., and the honorees will be announced in the Oct. 14 issue of BusinessWest. Nominations should be written with one underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact. Visit businesswest.com/women-of- impact-nominations for additional information and a nomination form. The 2024 Women of Impact presenting sponsors are Country Bank and Tommy- Car Auto Group. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email mercado@ businesswest.com.
Willpower Foundation Annual Golf Tournament
Sept. 3: The Willpower Foundation announced
its annual golf tournament, set to take place at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley. The tourna- ment is open to all golf enthusiasts, with a registra- tion fee of $125 per person. Participants will enjoy
a round of golf, lunch, and opportunities to win prizes. Proceeds from the event will support the Willpower Foundation’s mission to provide financial support to children and families affected by disabili-
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ties. In addition to golfers, the Willpower Founda- tion is actively seeking sponsors to help offset the costs of the tournament. Sponsorship opportunities range from hole sponsorships to event sponsor- ships, each offering benefits and recognition. Sponsors will have the chance to showcase their commitment to the community and support a worthy cause. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willpow- erfoundation.org or email Hayley Procon at man- [email protected].
Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley 30th Annual Golf Tournament
Sept. 7: Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will host
its 30th annual golf tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown. Whether a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun day out, everyone is welcome. For $120, partici- pants will enjoy a round of golf, a box lunch, and the chance to win prizes. Proceeds will directly fund scholarships and grants that empower women and girls to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Zonta is working to end child marriage, domestic violence, and human trafficking, while also supporting climate justice, education equality, and women in decision-making positions. Sign up at zontaqv.org/golf or call Mary Knight at (413) 323- 4806. The organization also welcomes sponsor- ships from local businesses.
Party for a Purpose
Sept. 19: With the goal of making sure Square One’s children have a new, state-of-the-art, outdoor learning and playspace, Friends on a Mission will host its annual Party for a Purpose to raise funds
for the playground project at Square One’s Tommie Johnson Child & Family Center in Springfield. Now in its second year, Friends on a Mission started with a trio of friends — Bob Perry, Walter Tomala, and the late Jenn Schimmel — who set out to spend time together while giving back to the community. Their inaugural event held last fall raised more than
“Even the restaurant community understands that, ‘oh, right, food trucks aren’t going to take away from our business. How can we work together?”
“Partnerships are really what make food trucks happen,” he went on. “If you’re not in a fixed loca- tion, a retail location where people are making it a destination, you need to have an Abandoned Building Brewery say, ‘we’re going to do Food Truck Friday and bring 1,000 people together,’ and make partnerships that way. And the concert venues — Tree House is doing so many more shows now than they did before. So the cultural growth of food trucks, in partnership with more venues, is still definitely on the rise.”
Some of those partnerships are long-lasting; one of Holyoke Hummus’s earliest events was at Abandoned Building’s first anniversary, and it just had a presence
$38,000 for Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With early sponsorship support from PeoplesBank and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., this year’s Party for a Purpose, featuring cocktails, food, and festivities, will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Del- aney House in Holyoke. Interested sponsors should contact Perry at (413) 530-3787. For tickets, visit www.startatsquareone.org.
Cruise for Critters
Sept. 21: The engines are revving for the much- anticipated Cruise for Critters at Westview Farms Creamery. Now in its 12th year, this car show, pre- sented by Al Widlan, owner of Service Connection, is set to once again make a meaningful impact on the lives of pets in need at Second Chance Animal Services. Widlan has championed this event for over a decade, rallying car enthusiasts and compas- sionate hearts alike to come together for a worthy cause. This year’s Cruise for Critters promises an array of fall-themed activities for attendees of all ages. A vendor fair will offer unique items of all kinds, and the Halloween Barktacular kids’ games will be back, thanks to dedicated Second Chance volunteers. The festivities are set to kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m., featuring food, ice cream, and an assortment of fall attractions that Westview Farms Creamery is known for, from pumpkin picking to navigating through a corn maze. The event will also include live music by
the Barberic Band, a raffle, and more. The event
is sponsored in part by Ted and Barbara Hebert
of Teddy Bear Pools & Spas and by Joe Campisi,
a longtime friend of Second Chance. Organizers extend an invitation to local businesses and vendors to support of pets in need. Information on sponsor- ship opportunities, item donations, and becoming a vendor can be found at secondchanceanimals.org/ events/cruise. The event will welcome spectators free of charge. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the show by contributing a $20 entry fee per vehicle, with every dollar earmarked for the betterment of pets’ lives. A rain date has been set for Saturday, Sept. 28.
at the Easthampton brewery’s 10th anniversary. Relationships with local cities and towns are
important, too, Cordeiro added. “Even the restaurant community understands that, ‘oh, right, food trucks aren’t going to take away from our business. How can we work together?’”
As it enters its second decade, the couple have rec- ognized their growing stature as mentors to newcom- ers on the food-truck landscape.
“That’s been a really nice thing for us as well, talk- ing to trucks coming on the scene over the last couple of years,” Grossman told BusinessWest. “When I was starting out, I know I was running around, hanging out at other trucks, asking them questions. There were some really great trucks that answered my ques- tions and were helpful; they were sort of like the elder statespeople of food trucks in the Valley. They were scrappy and doing it when there were far less oppor- tunities. To become that food truck that’s able to help and talk with other trucks as they get going, that’s been exciting.” BW
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Hummus
Falafel-y Promising
The truck fare from Holyoke Hummus has remained fairly consistent over the past decade and now includes a variety of falafel sandwiches and plates; hummus served with pita chips, a soft pita, or carrots; and sides ranging from fried brussels sprouts to french fries to stuffed grape leaves.
“It’s authentic,” Cordeiro said, of both the food and the relationships they’ve built over the years. “We’re a trusted part of the community, and that’s lovely. These people are part of our lives.”
Grossman agreed. “The nature of our business
is breaking bread with people. That’s what being in community events is all about — it’s a very connecting thing of eating food with people and sharing food with people. We really love that.”
And while they grow the wholesale business, they also see expanding opportunity with the food truck, and a Western Mass. market that is far from saturat- ed. “It’s kind of like asking, are there enough restau- rants out there?” Grossman said.
40 AUGUST 19, 2024
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