A.W. Brown’s Mutt Madness event supports the Foundation for TJO Animals and the animals in need at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center in Springfield.
Founded in 2007, the Foundation for TJO Animals raises funds to help local, homeless animals at the center, serving Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee.
During March, patrons at A.W. Brown in East Longmeadow had the option to purchase a paw print at the register when they checked out. Paw prints lined the walls and windows in the store. Chris Goossens, marketing coordinator at A.W. Brown, made a visit to the center to present a check to the foundation for $11,281.81.
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Rocky’s Ace Hardware, with 50 locations in nine states, held its semi-annual “Round Up for Kids” fundraiser. Customers were asked to round up their purchase total to the next dollar. The difference is donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Money raised benefits the local CMN hospital nearest to each store. Local participating Rocky’s locations include the Island Pond Road and Liberty Street stores in Springfield and the Agawam, East Longmeadow, Westfield, Ludlow, Palmer and South Hadley stores. The proceeds will be donated to Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield.
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The U.S. General Services Administration, which oversees federal real estate, announced the winners of the new biennial GSA Construction Awards. Eighteen winners were honored at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington.
In this inaugural event, the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Clinic in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building in Pittsfield received an Honor level award in the Small Projects Category, as well as a Merit level award in the Engaged Customer Support category.
In 2020 the VA requested GSA’s help to find available space to build out a new VA clinic. GSA found space to meet the VA’s needs within the federal building. GSA coordinated and relocated the U.S. Department of Agriculture from the second floor to the first floor and brought the VA over from leased space to occupy the entire second floor.
The $4.1 million project was completed by City Enterprise, a woman-owned small business from Springfield. The firm constructed a clinic that includes a high-end HVAC system complete with an energy recovery ventilator system, a fire suppression sprinkler system, parking lot upgrades and a new fire alarm system. It will also be able to accommodate more appointments for veterans than their former space allowed.
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HEET, a climate nonprofit, announced the award of $450,000 in grants through its Kickstart Mass program to 13 communities to support geothermal networks in Massachusetts. The program, made possible with funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, supports the development of shovel-ready projects to bring clean, utility-scale heating and cooling to neighborhoods — with nearly 50% of the money going to environmental justice communities to prioritize an equitable transition to a clean energy future.
$50,000 (Tier 2) grants were awarded to projects located in Arlington, Deerfield, Gloucester, Lexington, Lowell, Salem, Somerville and Worcester.
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Stop & Shop donated $15,000 to Springfield Technical Community College during pregame ceremonies when the Springfield Thunderbirds hosted the Charlotte Checkers at MassMutual Center in Springfield.
The center-ice ceremony was part of Stop & Shop’s celebration to honor the five-year anniversary of its School Food Pantry Program. Springfield Technical Community College was one of the original schools to enroll in the program in 2019. Since then, Stop & Shop has committed $61,000 to help support the school’s food pantry and stock its shelves with food items. This year, the school has seen a 50% increase in need amongst its students. Furthermore, the school has seen an 80% increase in students; household sizes. This current school year, Springfield Technical Community College served nearly 700 students.
The program is designed to help limit barriers impacting students’ ability to succeed in the classroom by making sure that they have consistent access to food. Stop & Shop currently supports over 230 schools across the Northeast with the goal of supporting 250 by the end of 2024. The program is one of the largest school food pantry programs in the country.
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Ocean State Job Lot, with 153 stores across the Northeast, expanding its rooftop solar array portfolio.
Within the next 12 months, 14 OSJL stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey and an OSJL corporate building in Rhode Island plan to receive new rooftop solar installations. OSJL will partner with Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Ecogy Energy, and Boston, Massachusetts-based NextGrid on solar projects of various sizes.
The locations include the firm’s Southwick store.
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Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Human Resources Director William Mahoney and Springfield College President Mary-Beth A. Cooper announce the completion of a new employer partnership agreement between the city of Springfield and Springfield College which makes city employees who are enrolled in degree programs eligible for a 15% tuition grant.
City employees, both full-time and part-time, who are enrolled in credit bearing bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs at Springfield College’s main campus or online with a minimum of 30 credits, can receive a 15% tuition grant. While this includes full-time and part-time (working at least 17.5 hours per week) employees, it does not include seasonal employees. This grant will cover 15% of tuition after federal and state gift aid and is awarded as part of the financial aid process. It is imperative that students still complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year.
City employees may receive the grant for each degree they pursue at the college, meaning students can continue their education at Springfield College and continue to benefit from the grant program. City employees who are Springfield College students may also be eligible for academic credit for prior training and certifications through their city employment.
City employees can sign-up for an upcoming information session:
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Monson Savings Bank will be hosting a clothing drive during June to collect professional work attire for Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, at all branch locations.
Suit Up Springfield accepts donations of suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and outer coats. Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts is accepting donations of blazers/suits, dress pants, skirts, shoes, outerwear, and jewelry. Gently-used and clean professional business attire donations will be accepted at these branch drop-off locations during normal business hours.
Clothing will be collected at branches in Monson, Hampden, Wilbraham, Ware and East Longmeadow.
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The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is celebrating its golden anniversary of providing public transportation services for 50 years. PVTA was created in 1974 to provide oversight and coordination of public transportation within the Pioneer Valley region.
To kick the celebration, and to thank passengers for their loyalty, no fares or passes will be needed for PVTA bus and paratransit services June 1 through Aug. 1.
The PVTA has received funds appropriated by state legislators for the Try-Transit Program for fiscal year 2024.
For information on the PVTA’s Golden Anniversary Celebrations, visit pvta.com.
