Page 61 - BusinessWest December 8, 2025

AGENDA>> For more events, or to submit your upcoming events,
visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar
Difference Makers Nominations
Through Dec. 22: BusinessWest is now accepting
nominations for its 18th annual Difference Makers
awards. BusinessWest launched the Difference Mak-
ers program in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the
work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institu-
tions that are positively impacting the communi-
ties of Western Mass. As previous honorees have
shown, there are many ways to make a difference
within our community, such as working on initia-
tives aimed at improving quality of life; succeeding
in business, public service, or education; inspiring
others to get involved; and making an imaginative
effort to help solve societal issues. Nominations
for the Difference Makers class of 2025 are due by
Monday, Dec. 22 and can be submitted at business-
west.com/difference-makers-nomination-form. For
more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana,
Marketing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600,
ext. 100, or email [email protected].
Community Giving Initiative
Through Dec. 31: Monson Savings Bank’s 2026
Community Giving Initiative is in full swing, and
the bank is inviting the public to help decide which
local nonprofit organizations will receive donations
in the coming year. Voting runs through Dec. 31 at 3
p.m. Voters should visit www.monsonsavings.bank/
cgi and submit the name of one nonprofit organiza-
tion they would like Monson Savings Bank to sup-
port in 2026. Organizations must be nonprofit and
serve within the bank’s geographic area. Each per-
son may vote once. The 10 ten organizations with
the most votes will receive donations from Monson
Savings Bank. Winners will be announced in mid-
January 2026.
Women of Impact
Dec. 9: BusinessWest will celebrate its eighth annual
Women of Impact cohort at Twin Hills Country Club
in Longmeadow. Tickets cost $95 per person, and
tables of 10 are available. To purchase tickets, visit
www.businesswest.com/eventcalendar/womenof-
impact-2025. The class of 2025, featured in the
Oct. 27 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.
com, includes Tara Brewster, vice president of Busi-
ness Development and Director of Philanthropy at
Greenfield Savings Bank; Tracy Friedenberg, execu-
tive director of Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Chelsea Kline,
executive director of Cancer Connection; Ayanna
Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media
Services; Rania Kfuri, vice president for Philanthro-
py, Sales, and Marketing at Glenmeadow; Angelina
Ramirez, CEO of Stavros Center for Independent
Living; Amanda Sanderson, executive director of
Resilience Center of Franklin County; and Sarah
Rose Stack, lecturer of Public Relations at UMass
Amherst. The event is presented by Country Bank
and TommyCar Auto Group, sponsored by Bacon
Wilson, P.C., and supported by Feel Good Shop
Local and 94.7fm WMAS.
Berkshire County Development
Alliance Winter Mixer
Dec. 9: The Berkshire County Development Alliance
(BCDA) will host an informal networking mixer from
5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1
School St., Pittsfield. All are invited to drop by after
work, grab a drink, and connect with fellow devel-
opment professionals, volunteers, and community
members from across Berkshire County. This get-
together is a relaxed way to meet new people, share
ideas, make connections, and learn about what
others are working on in the area — no pitches or
presentations required. The event is free to attend.
Light snacks and drinks are available for purchase
from Hot Plate. RSVP is requested at 413bcda@
gmail.com, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit bit.
ly/4cDsUjA to learn more.
Follow My Steps Foundation
Annual Gala
Dec. 14: Follow My Steps Foundation announced
its annual gala, Stepping Into 2026, will be held at
the Basketball Hall of Fame. This event will bring
together community leaders, partners, supporters,
and youth to celebrate the strides made over the
past year and to rally support for future expansion
of the foundation’s mentorship, career readiness,
and financial literacy programs. The event will also
introduce the Pioneers for Change Award, recog-
nizing exemplary changemakers whose actions
resonate with Follow My Steps’ mission. Guests
will enjoy a catered dinner, live entertainment,
and uplifting stories about the youth served by the
foundation. The evening also marks the launch
of a community giving campaign, aiming to raise
$10,000 in individual contributions that fuel men-
torship, education, and empowerment initiatives
throughout the year. Early bird tickets (through
Nov. 14) cost $55 for adults and $27.50 for children.
General admission tickets (Nov. 15-30) cost $65
for adults and $32.50 for children. Final admis-
sion tickets (Dec. 1-14): cost $75 for adults and
$37.50 for children. Visit www.followmysteps.org/
steppinginto2026 to purchase tickets. Businesses
and community partners are also invited to join as
sponsors of the Stepping Into 2026 Gala. Five tiered
sponsorship levels — copper, bronze, silver, gold,
and platinum — offer meaningful opportunities to
align one’s brand with youth empowerment and
community advancement. Each level includes a
range of benefits such as brand visibility across digi-
tal and print channels, recognition during the event,
logo placement, program ads, reserved tickets, and
social media promotion.
Penguin Plunge
Jan. 24: Amelia Park Children’s Museum announced
the return of the Penguin Plunge, to be held at 1
p.m. at Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield.
Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. Proceeds from the
Penguin Plunge will benefit the museum. Through
the years, participants and sponsors of the Penguin
Plunge have helped to raise more than $370,000 to
support Amelia Park Children’s Museum. There are
several ways to help, including taking the plunge,
becoming a sponsor, encouraging others to plunge,
donating to a participant, or donating online.
Plunge participants may join as an individual or as a
team. Each participant pledges to raise a minimum
of $75 from friends and family and is encouraged to
collect as many sponsors as possible. Those under
the age of 18 will receive a registration discount of
$25. There are monetary prizes of ‘cold hard cash’
for the top three individuals or teams that raise the
most money; $300 for first place, $200 for second
place, and $100 for third place. A costume contest
is part of the fun, and participants are encouraged
to come dressed creatively. There will be prizes for
best individual costume and best team costume.
People may register in advance online or on the
day of the event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Par-
ticipants will receive a free 2026 Penguin Plunge
T-shirt while supplies last. Sponsorship and dona-
tion opportunities, registration, and pledge forms
are available at www.ameliaparkmuseum.org/pen-
guin-plunge or can be picked up at the museum.
What’s Happening in Western Mass?
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Visit BusinessWest’s Community Calendar:
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