Several Hampden County nonprofits to receive awards for the first time at event at Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park on May 19

FLORENCE—For 20 years, Florence Bank has awarded grants of up to $5,000 each to dozens of nonprofits chosen by its customers, and at its annual gathering this year, it will once again offer up $100,000 to organizations that support young and old in the community.

At its 20th Annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants gala, to be held Thursday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park, the bank will offer awards to 45 nonprofits and celebrate a total of $1.4 million in community giving through this one channel.

Organizations like Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield and the Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Holyoke will receive awards for the first time this year thanks to customer voting.

“We are so grateful,” said Stacey Perlmutter, director of development at Shriners Hospitals for Children—Springfield. “All care and services at Shriners Hospitals for Children are provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay. This grant money will help us to continue to provide life-changing pediatric specialty care to families throughout western Massachusetts and beyond.”

Likewise, Gerry O’Connor Page, the executive director of Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) in Holyoke feels grateful for an assist that will help provide therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical, emotional, or psychological disabilities.

“We will use the money to enable us to keep prices down,” she said. “It helps make the service accessible.”

In the past, the bank has granted funds to some Hampden County-based nonprofits, such as Dakin Humane Society, which typically is the top vote-getter each year. This year, as Florence Bank develops its engagement in the southern county, the awards to organizations based there are increasing.

“We have branches now in West Springfield, Springfield, and Chicopee, and we very much want to be good neighbors in those communities,” Florence Bank President and CEO Kevin Day said. He noted that this year, the bank held a Zoominar event to educate Hampden County nonprofit leaders about the Customers’ Choice program.

“We wanted to be sure they were aware of the program so they could take part and have the best chance at success,” he said.

Florence Bank’s community grants program is an annual offering founded in 2002, and, through it, Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding.

Voting takes place all year long, online at www.florencebank.com/vote and in bank branches, and each customer has only one vote. To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 votes. In 2021, roughly 6,700 votes were cast, making 45 nonprofits eligible for a grant.

Over the past 20 years, Florence Bank has tallied more than 141,000 customer votes and given grants to roughly 164 different organizations.

“From its founding, Florence Bank has had a commitment to serving as a community partner, and we are proud and honored to stand true to that mission today,” Day said. “We value these organizations that take care of our most vulnerable neighbors, and we thank our customers for supporting them with their votes.”

Organizations to receive awards this year range from police, fire, library, and school groups to nonprofits that provide food, shelter, or support to people living with a serious illness or disability. Leaders of these nonprofits will learn the amount of their award at the May event.

Perlmutter said the Springfield Shriners Hospital serves children from birth to age 18 with orthopedic, neuromuscular, and urologic conditions as well as cleft lip and palate. Services include surgery, physical and occupational rehabilitation and speech therapy, motion analysis, radiology, and orthotic and prosthetic care. The hospital cares for roughly 10,000 children each year.

Perlmutter took part in the bank’s educational Zoominar in the fall. “It was very informative and showed us that Florence Bank would be a great community partner,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have them in Hampden County and looking to make a difference for so many of their nonprofit neighbors.”

A leader from the equestrian center also took part in the Zoominar and became inspired. Located on the grounds of Jericho, TEC sits on 40 acres and serves about 60 riders per week.

“There are numerous benefits,” O’Connor Page said. “For someone with physical challenges, it helps develop and strengthen muscles. For kids with ADHD, the movement of the horse is calming and helps create focus. It helps with communication as riders learn those skills as they communicate clearly with the horse.”

In addition to Shriners Hospitals for Children—Springfield, the Therapeutic Equestrian Center, and Dakin, the following organizations received enough votes to qualify for a grant and will receive an award at the celebration: Amherst Neighbors, Amherst Survival Center, Belchertown Animal Relief Committee, Inc. (BARC), Belchertown K-9, Cancer Connection, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Cooley Dickinson Hospital VNA & Hospice, Easthampton Community Center, Easthampton Elementary Schools PTO, Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Friends of Forbes Library, Friends of Lilly Library, Friends of M.N. Spear Memorial Library, Friends of Northampton Legion Baseball, Friends of the Williamsburg Library, Goshen Firefighters Association, Grow Food Northampton, Granby Senior Center, Habitat for Humanity Pioneer Valley, Historic Northampton, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, It Takes a Village, J.F.K. Middle School, Kestrel Land Trust, Leeds Elementary School PTO, Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, Manna Community Kitchen, Northampton Community Music Center, Northampton High School PTO, Northampton Neighbors, Northampton Survival Center, Our Lady of the Hills Parish, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, Revitalize CDC, Riverside Industries, R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, Safe Passage, Smith Vocational High School PTO, The Parish Cupboard, Whole Children, and Williamsburg Firefighters Association.

Florence Bank has branches in Amherst, Belchertown, Chicopee, Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, Northampton, Williamsburg, West Springfield, Springfield, and it is headquartered in Florence.

About Florence Bank

Florence Bank is a mutual savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 12 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown, Granby, Chicopee, West Springfield, and Springfield. Additionally, it offers 25 ATMs and a wide range of financial services, including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses. Florence Bank is consistently voted best local bank by the readers of the Valley Advocate and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

The post Florence Bank to Celebrate 20th Annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program, Donating $100,000 to 45 Nonprofits appeared first on Beetle Press.

2019 Customer Choice Awards – Jim Gipe Photo / Pivot Media

Roughly $1.1 million donated through annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program over 17 years

FLORENCE—Farm shares for people with low-incomes. A thermal imager the Williamsburg Firefighters Association will use to detect hot spots after a fire. Art classes for seniors. Shelter and counseling for those who’ve experienced domestic abuse.

And even a bicycle that Emily Williston Memorial Library will use to deliver books to Easthampton residents.

These are some of the programs and services that will benefit area residents thanks to the Florence Bank Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program, through which $102,500 was presented to 61 area nonprofits at an awards celebration March 5 at the Garden House at Look Memorial Park.

During the event, Florence Bank president and CEO John Heaps Jr. handed out 55 checks to nonprofits that received at least 50 votes from bank customers in 2018, topping the $1.1 million mark in terms of grants made to community nonprofits over almost two decades.

Heaps also gave an additional $500 to six organizations that received between 40 and 49 votes and were vying for one $500 bonus award.

Cooley Dickinson VNA was chosen in that drawing, but after the applause died down, Heaps said with a mischievous smile, “There are six organizations,” and after yet another pause, “Do you see what I’m thinking?”

Board members and corporators in the audience called out their support to Heaps, who then announced Florence Bank would offer a $500 grant to all six organizations. “It’s a beautiful thing to help all of you,” Heaps said. “We want you to work extra hard this year to get 50 votes!”

The Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program is an annual offering founded in 2002, through which Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding. Heaps told nonprofit leaders gathered this year that the idea that customers would vote to disperse the funds came during a dinner 18 years ago with his late wife, Jane, and friends.

Heaps said Florence Bank employees also contribute in the community through various volunteer efforts. And he noted that in addition to the funds granted through Customers’ Choice, the bank donates an additional $450,000 to nonprofit organizations each year.

As he shook hands and posed for photos with executive directors, PTO leaders, board leaders and other nonprofit heads, Heaps also said, “Thank you for the work you do. This is our special event, but it’s your evening. Your good work makes our community great.”

He added, “Our customers voted for you. Our customers care about the community as much as we do.”

Monica Curhan, senior vice president / marketing director at the bank, announced each individual award and invited nonprofit leaders to the podium. She noted that each vote for each organization amounted to roughly $16 per.

Heaps said that Florence Bank is able to be generous in the community because it is a mutually-held bank, which means that quarterly dividends are not paid out to stockholders. That money, instead, is invested into the community and into bank services and programs. “It’s a great opportunity for us,” Heaps said.

The six organizations that unexpectedly received a bonus $500 grant were: Granby Athletic Association, Granby Preservation Society, Bridge Street School Parent Teacher Organization in Northampton, Belchertown Band Boosters, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, and the Granby Music Parents Association.

The following organizations received more than 50 customer votes and received these awards at the event: Dakin Humane Society, $5,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, $4,853; Friends of Forbes Library, $3,767; Friends of Lilly Library, $3,546; Cancer Connection, $3,546; Northampton Survival Center, $3,360; Amherst Survival Center, $3,342; Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $3,308; Friends of the Williamsburg Library, $3,071; Our Lady of the Hills Parish, $2,783; New Hingham Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, $2,698; Northampton High School Parent Teacher Organization, $2,409; Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation, $2,239; Easthampton Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Organization, $2,222; BARC, Inc., $2,155; Belchertown K-9, $1,833; Friends of Hilltown Cooperative Charter School, $1,798; Granby Senior Center, $1,680; Grow Food Northampton, $1,612; Safe Passage, $1,595; Belchertown Firefighters Association, $1,561; Friends of Clapp Library, $1,561; Jackson Street School Parent Teacher Organization, $1,527; Northampton Senior Center, $1,476; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, $1,476; Williamsburg Firefighter Association, $1,442; Leeds Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, $1,442; Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, $1,408; Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, $1,408; Northampton Community Music Center, $1,391; Easthampton Dollars for Scholars, $1,374; Friends of Northampton Legion, $1,324; Tapestry Health Systems, $1,256; Children First Enterprises, Inc., $1,239; Whole Children, $1,222; Friends of M.N. Spear Memorial Library, $1,222; Riverside Industries, Inc., $1,170; Kestrel Land Trust, $1,170; Friends of Amherst Senior Center, $1,170; Smith Vocational High School Parent Teacher Organization, $1,153; Hitchcock Center for the Environment, $1,136; Cooley Dickinson Hospital, $1,136; Easthampton Community Center, $1,136; Belchertown Public Schools, $1,136; Historic Northampton, $1,086; It Takes A Village, $1,086; Northampton Neighbors, $1,069; Pelham Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, $1,069; John F. Kennedy Middle School, $1,052; Hospice of the Fisher Home, $1,052; Cub Scout Pack 705 of Chesterfield, $1,001; Emily Williston Library, $967; Granby Free Public Library, $933; Amherst Regional Public Schools, $933; and Manna Soup Kitchen, $899.

The Customers’ Choice Community Grants program is a year-long initiative. Customers’ of the bank can vote via paper ballots at each bank branch location or online at https://www.florencebank.com/vote.

Florence Bank has branches in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, Northampton, Williamsburg, West Springfield, and Springfield, and it is headquartered in Florence.

Florence Bank is a mutually-owned savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 11 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown, Granby, West Springfield and a new branch located on Allen Street in Springfield. Additionally, they offer 28 ATMs and a wide range of financial services including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses.  Florence Bank is consistently voted best local bank by the readers of the Valley Advocate and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.  

The post Florence Bank Offers Grants to 61 Nonprofit Leaders appeared first on Beetle Press.

Event scheduled for March 5 at Look Memorial Park

FLORENCE—Fifty-five nonprofit organizations in the Pioneer Valley will receive a check from Florence Bank on Tuesday, March 5 at the 17th annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants awards ceremony at the Garden House at Look Park from 5 to 7 p.m.

Florence Bank president and CEO John Heaps Jr. will hand out the checks, marking $1.1 million in terms of grants the bank has made to community nonprofits over almost two decades.

“We are a committed community partner, and we love this annual event, which offers us the chance to invest in organizations that benefit our employees, customers, neighbors, families and friends,” Heaps said.

The Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program is an annual offering founded in 2002, through which Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding.

To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 votes. Ten organizations that received between 40 and 49 votes were also invited to attend the event this year to be in a drawing for one additional $500 award.

This year, these organizations will receive funds for the first time: It Takes a Village in Cummington; Children First Enterprises, Inc. of Granby; Friends of Northampton Legion; Smith Vocational High School Parent Teacher Organization of Northampton; Belchertown Public Schools; Historic Northampton; Northampton Neighbors; and Cub Scout Pack 705 of Chesterfield.

Additionally, these other organizations will receive an award at the event: Dakin Humane Society; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County; Friends of Forbes Library; Friends of Lilly Library; Cancer Connection; Northampton Survival Center; Amherst Survival Center; Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Friends of the Williamsburg Library; Our Lady of the Hills Parish; New Hingham Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization; Northampton High School Parent Teacher Organization; Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation; Easthampton Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Organization; BARC, Inc.; Belchertown K-9; Friends of Hilltown Cooperative Charter School; Granby Senior Center; Grow Food Northampton; Safe Passage; Belchertown Firefighters Association; Friends of Clapp Library; Jackson Street School Parent Teacher Organization; Northampton Senior Center; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School; Williamsburg Firefighter Association; Leeds Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization; Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School; Bright Spot Therapy Dogs; Northampton Community Music Center; Easthampton Dollars for Scholars; Friends of Northampton Legion; Tapestry Health Systems; Children First Enterprises, Inc.; Whole Children; Friends of M.N. Spear Memorial Library; Riverside Industries, Inc.; Kestrel Land Trust; Friends of Amherst Senior Center; Smith Vocational High School Parent Teacher Organization; Hitchcock Center for the Environment; Cooley Dickinson Hospital; Easthampton Community Center; Belchertown Public Schools; Historic Northampton; It Takes A Village; Northampton Neighbors; Pelham Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization; John F. Kennedy Middle School; Hospice of the Fisher Home; Cub Scout Pack 705; Emily Williston Library; Granby Free Public Library; Amherst Regional Public Schools; and Manna Soup Kitchen.

The Customers’ Choice Community Grants program is a year-long initiative. Customers’ of the bank can vote via paper ballots at each bank branch location or online at https://www.florencebank.com/vote.

Florence Bank has branches in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, Northampton, Williamsburg, West Springfield, and Springfield, and it is headquartered in Florence.

Florence Bank is a mutually-owned savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 11 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown, Granby, West Springfield and a new branch located on Allen Street in Springfield. Additionally, they offer 28 ATMs and a wide range of financial services including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses.  Florence Bank is consistently voted best local bank by the readers of the Valley Advocate and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.  

The post Florence Bank to Exceed $1.1 Million in Giving at This Year’s 17th Annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program appeared first on Beetle Press.