Florence Bank recently contributed $40,000 to the Northampton-based Valley Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit formed in 1988 to address the shortage of affordable housing and the needs of the community through economic and housing development.
Valley CDC serves Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties for homeownership and small business services and primarily Amherst, Hadley, Northampton and Easthampton for affordable housing development.
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The Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a National Design Studio Award from Boston-based Envision Resilience.
UMass Amherst is one of eight universities nationwide selected to receive the inaugural National Design Studio Award, which supports university design studios that partner with communities to develop innovative responses to climate change.
LARP has participated in the environmental nonprofit’s signature program, the annual Envision Resilience Challenge, which convenes students in architecture, landscape architecture, planning, environmental science and the arts to work with communities on adaptive design solutions.
The National Design Studio Award includes a $9,500 grant that will support a studio project in Boston this spring led by LARP Associate Professor Carolina Aragón and Professor Robert Ryan.
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Eversource has received the 2025 Community Partnership Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development, a national nonprofit that unites employers, labor, educators, community organizations and other stakeholders to ensure the industry’s workforce is ready for the evolving energy landscape. This honor is given to energy companies that develop connections within their local communities to inspire future energy workers and create accessible pathways to energy careers that are open to all.
The energy company has developed programs that prepare skilled professionals for energy careers.
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Westfield Bank invited its employees, customers and community members across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut to help fight hunger in local communities as part of its 2025 Food Drive.
From Monday, Oct. 20 through Monday, Nov. 17, all Westfield Bank branches collected non-perishable food items and monetary donations. Food items included those needed for Thanksgiving dinners as well as other staples to keep shelves stocked throughout the holiday season. Each branch donated to a food pantry or community kitchen local to their service area.
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Applications for the 2026 Young Women in Leadership Award are available from the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley. A local recipient will receive a $2000 award, funded by the Zonta Club of the Quaboag Valley and will be entered for the District YW award. The district recipient will be eligible for a $5,000 award from Zonta International.
Applications can be obtained from high school guidance counselors or on its website: ZontaQV.org/scholarships and must be submitted electronically with supporting documentation no later than March 15. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 19 on April 1 studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta District. Questions can be directed to info@zontaqv.org.
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Online voting has opened to vote for the 2026 Choice Awards on the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce website, qhma.com. Each year, the Quaboag Hills Chamber recognizes individuals and businesses that enrich the region.
Members of the public are encouraged to cast their votes between now and March 15 for the finalists who are being celebrated this year.
The 2026 Choice Award categories and finalists are:
Community Hero of the Year finalists, Ann Davidson of the Wales Community Food Pantry, Karen Jacobs Davis of the Monson Together Community Cupboard, Brenda McCarthy at the Bondsville Post Office, Amy Scribner from River East School to Career, and Chris Smith of Light Up Palmer.
Educator of the Year finalists, Pam Ellis from Granite Valley School, Jacqueline Fernandez from North Brookfield Elementary School, Marcie Fusco from Wildwood Acres Farm & Forest School, Beky O’Brien from Old Mill Pond Elementary, and Marion Reilly from Wales Elementary School.
The “We Keep You Running” HVAC Business of the Year finalists, C.W. Angell of Ware, Noonan Energy of Palmer, Pioneer Valley Environmental of Ware, River-Air HVAC of Brimfield, and Squier & Co of Monson.
The “We Build It” Manufacturer of the Year finalists, Palmer Foundry, Palmer Paving, Quabbin Wire & Cable Co of Ware, Quirk Wire Co of West Brookfield, and Sanderson MacLeod of Palmer.
The “We Do Good” Non-Profit of the Year finalists, the Behavioral Health Network, Hitchcock Free Academy, the Palmer Historical & Cultural Center, the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation, and Workshop13.
The Chamber Champion of the Year finalists, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, Pathfinder Tech, SERVPRO Team Fall, and Superior Plus Energy. `
The Chamber Legacy Award finalists, Bell & Hudson Insurance Agency, Country Bank, Monson Savings, Moulton Insurance Agency, and North Brookfield Savings Bank.
The winners will be announced, and all finalists will be honored at the QHMA Choice Awards dinner on Wednesday, May 6 at The Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer. Tickets to the event are on sale now at qhma.com.
