
Hyundai Hope On Wheels donated $100,000 through Baystate Health Foundation to support pediatric cancer care at Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield.
The donation is part of Hyundai Hope On Wheels commitment to donate $26 million to support pediatric cancer research in its 26th years, bringing its lifetime giving to $250 million.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels got its start in 1998 when a small group of New England-area Hyundai dealers joined together to support a local children’s hospital. Today, more than 830 Hyundai dealers donate a portion of every vehicle purchase to the cause, paired with support from Hyundai Motor America.
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Health New England has awarded Elm Electrical of Westfield its Well Worth It Award Gold designation for outstanding employee wellness programs. The company and winners at other levels were recognized at a luncheon at the Sheraton Springfield.
Elm Electrical leveraged Health New England’s employee wellness programs to help their employees reach their best possible health. This includes Health New England’s Healthy Choices Rewards Program, which offers monetary rewards for healthy activities, such as joining a gym and nutrition counseling. Elm Electrical also encouraged employees to use Health New England programs that help mental health, weight loss, smoking cessation, and stress reduction.
Health New England also awarded Well Worth It Awards in Silver and Bronze designations to these exemplary local businesses: Silver: Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust PeoplesBank; Bronze: Springfield Area Transit Co., Inc./Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
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A check presentation took place at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, 34 Chapin Terrace. A donation of $10,000 was presented from Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
Each year, the Trees of Hope Event is held at Gary Rome Hyundai and the dealership’s showroom is transformed into a winter wonderland during the first two weeks of November. The event features creative holiday trees, dream gifts and displays that are donated by local businesses, individuals and community organizations. Each display is raffled off using an online system that allows people to participate both in person and virtually.
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Bertera Commercial Auto Service Center announced the grand opening of its new location at 657 Riverdale St. in West Springfield. This new store will provide fleet services for vehicles ranging from a single sedan to a fleet of 3500s.
The event features a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor William C. Reichelt of West Springfield in attendance.
Store hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Seven Hills Foundation announced that its affiliate Family Services of Central Massachusetts has been selected for a pilot partnership designed to develop the early childhood education workforce. The partnership is supported by a $1.4 million funding initiative from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Family Services was among four organizations selected to support workforce development pathways, including registered apprenticeships, for center-based and family child care programs across Massachusetts. Its Center for Childcare Careers educator program will serve the EEC’s central and western regions of the state.
Family Services/Seven Hills Foundation will soon begin conducting outreach and recruitment throughout the Western Massachusetts, focusing on areas that are considered child-care “deserts.” These are a mix of urban and rural communities, including in Springfield, that currently lack capacity.
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Tech Foundry in Springfield was one of only nine organizations in the commonwealth selected to receive a Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success grant in the latest round of funding. These grants are funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation through the state’s Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Tech Foundry received the maximum award of $500,000.
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones presented the grants at the MassHire North Shore Workforce Board in Salem on Oct. 8.
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Monson Savings Bank Executive Vice President and COO Michael Rouette recently met with Hope Bodwell, Monson Free Library director, to present her with a $1,000 donation of behalf of the bank. The donation was a part of the 2024 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, where the public was given the opportunity to vote on which nonprofits would receive a donation from the community bank in 2024.
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Springfield Technical Community College invites the community to “Coffee for a Cause,” a special event on Giving Tuesday dedicated to raising funds for STCC students.
This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the Building 15 parking lot and in front of Building 19, offering a unique opportunity for the public to support students facing financial challenges.
Guests are encouraged to stop by the “Coffee for a Cause” drive-thru to grab a free coffee and consider donating the money they would have used to buy coffee to the fundraiser. Contributions will go directly toward assisting STCC students and supporting programs that serve them. Many students continue to struggle with the costs of food, technology and other essentials necessary for their academic success.
As a token of appreciation, donors who contribute at certain levels will be entered into a raffle to win exciting prizes, including a $500 MGM Springfield gift card. The lucky winner will enjoy a one-night stay at MGM Springfield, along with a memorable dining experience at The Chandler Steakhouse.
For more information about “Coffee for a Cause” or to make a donation, please visit stcc.io/coffee.
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Gary Rome Hyundai has partnered with local comedian Jess Miller of Funnyraising Comedy Shows and OMG! Comedy Shows to host the Western Mass Toy Drive for foster kids and children in need. The “Stuff the Trunk” toy drive will be held at Gary Rome Hyundai located at 150 Whiting Farms Road in Holyoke and will end on Sunday Dec. 15. In addition to the toy drive, there will be a meet Santa & Mrs. Claus event at the dealership on Sunday Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families are encouraged to attend to take pictures and help foster children.
Toys can be dropped off at the Gary Rome Hyundai showroom during regular business hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday Dec. 15 will be a magical day where kids can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their cheerful elves at Gary Rome Hyundai! This enchanting gathering aims to collect more toys for the toy drive, benefiting foster kids and children in need through Western Mass News. To keep costs low, it is suggested that guests use cell phones to take pictures or bring a camera. Suggested donation: $10 or bring a new, unwrapped toy. 1 ticket is good for 1 family picture (no individual pictures will be taken unless you claim an additional ticket).
Spots are limited so don’t wait until the last minute to get tickets and miss out on your chance to meet Santa & Mrs Claus. Register here: https://www.funnyraising.com/event-details/gary-rome-hyundai-meet-santa-mrs-claus





