Event is a collaboration by Florence Bank, the city of Springfield, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD—In collaboration with the city of Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Florence Bank will host a basketball celebration on Tuesday, June 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Greenleaf Community Center on the refurbished basketball court.

The event will feature a comedic basketball troupe called the Court Jesters, a free-throw challenge that will benefit area nonprofits and a visit by an undisclosed Hall of Famer. Ice cream and other refreshments will be served. The rain date is June 19 at the same time.

“We are excited to get Springfield youths fired up to play some ball,” Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr. said. “This will be a fun event for everyone, and all are welcome to attend.”

The city of Springfield and Florence Bank each contributed $15,000 to repave and paint the court for young people in the neighborhood. Work began in May and is expected to be complete before school ends in June. Two new hoops and backboards will also be installed.

The event will kick off with a performance by the Court Jesters. Opening ceremonies will begin at 6:15 p.m., featuring Heaps and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

All participants will then be invited to line up at center court for the Helping Hoops Challenge. Participants can decide to take a three-point shot from anywhere on the three-point line or a foul-shot. There will also be a “kid-friendly” line available for younger children in attendance.  

Those who make a basket from the three-point line will receive a coin with a $100 value; those who make a basket from the foul line or “kid-friendly” line will receive a $25 coin. Participants will then donate the total value of their coins to one of these local nonprofits: Camp STAR Angelina, Dunbar Community Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, Urban League of Springfield, and Open Pantry Community Services.

Longtime media personality Scott Coen will emcee and Brian Fowler of New England Disc Jockey will provide music.

Event-goers can have their photo taken with the Hall of Famer and also request an autograph. There will also be giveaways and raffle items for those in attendance.

Nearly two years ago, Florence Bank opened its first branch in Hampden County at 1010 Union St. in West Springfield, and in December 2018 a second branch opened at 1444 Allen St. “It’s important that we show the community we care about the things that are important to them,” Heaps said, adding, “We like to be good neighbors.”

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.  

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