Page 20 - BusinessWest February 17, 2025

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Jennie Adamczyk
Executive Director, Providence Ministries Page DM6
Sheryl Blancato
CEO, Second Chance Animal Services Page DM10
John Delaney
Director, Ride to Remember
Page DM20
John Doleva
President and CEO,
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Page DM23
Michael J. Dias Foundation Page DM29
Dan Moriarty
President and CEO, Monson Savings Bank Page DM32
Introducing the FClass of 2025
or 17 years now, BusinessWest has been recognizing and celebrating the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through its Difference Makers program, with one goal in mind: to show the many ways one can, in fact, make a difference within their community.
The stories of the class of 2025, like the 16 cohorts before it, are all different, but the common thread is the passion and commitment exhibited by each honoree to improve quality of life for those in this region. It’s a humble group, too, with honoree after honoree telling us they couldn’t do their work alone, and they are, in fact, backed by many, many people making a difference.
The stories beginning on page DM6 are inspiring in many different ways, whether it’s Jennie Adamczyk’s work on behalf of often-desperate individuals to the Michael J. Dias Foundation’s development of sober homes; from the work
of John Doleva and Dan Moriarty to raise the game at their venerable institutions and make them a greater force in the community to the efforts of Andrea Bordenca and Mychal Connolly to build community through mentorship, dialogue, and shared success; from Sheryl Blancato’s success at keeping families and pets together to John Delaney’s continued stewardship of the impactful and deeply meaningful Ride to Remember.
We invite you to read these stories on the pages ahead. All of the 2025 Difference Makers have made an impact — real, tangible, often life-changing impact — in this region that we call home.
You can also help us celebrate the honorees in person on Wednesday, April 9 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10 available. For more event details and to reserve tickets, visit businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-
makers-tickets or scan the QR code at right. Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors —
Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank — for making this program possible. BW
Photos by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging
Andrea Bordenca
CEO, Desco Service
Page DM13
DM2 FEBRUARY 17, 2025
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BusinessWest
Mychal Connolly
CEO, Stand Out Truck
Page DM17