FLORENCE—The Henshaw Water Droplets, a team for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County, will hold its fourth annual Relay for Life Vendor/Craft Show July 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge #997 at 17 Spring St.

The event, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County, is free, open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Food will be available from Foley’s Franks.

Donations for the fair are still being accepted for the drawing to be held at the event.

One of the drawings offers a prize of five passes to Autobahn Indoor Speedway at the Hampshire Mall in Hadley, which is valued at $140. Each pass includes one race and a one-year membership. Tickets for this drawing are $5 and can be purchased during the event or by contacting Jennifer Hayden at tigereyes6905@netzero.com or (413) 824-9998.

“Our team fundraises all year round, and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Relay For Life of Hampshire County on June 15 and 16 from 3 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Look Memorial Park in Florence,” said Hayden, the coordinator of the event, captain of team Henshaw Water Droplets and an event leadership team member for Relay For Life of Hampshire County.

Hayden thanked the Elks Lodge #997 for being the presenting sponsor again this year to ensure that every dollar raised will be used to benefit the American Cancer Society.

For more information or to donate, contact Jennifer Hayden or see the event page on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/events/1266971896738194              

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NORTHAMPTON—Join the Purple Run to fight for a cure for cancer on Sunday, April 22 at 10 a.m. at Look Memorial Park in Florence. The event offers a walk, 5K and 10K run components, and pre-registration begins at 9 a.m.

Trophies will be awarded for the top three runners, in eight categories.

A craft fair with over 30 vendors will be held at the event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. And a photo booth will also be offered so that participants can have a chance for photo opportunities throughout the event.

The annual Purple Run was started in 2012 and has raised over $11,000 for the American Cancer Society; proceeds from this year’s run will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County in June.

The goal for 2018 is to have 500 runners and walkers take part. Organizers are also looking for sponsors and volunteers to assist.

For more information, to volunteer, or register and get a team discount, contact Tom McCusker at (413)-313-2525 or visit www.purplerun.net.

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EASTHAMPTON—Genevieve Brough, president of Finck & Perras Insurance Agency, Inc., recently announced that the firm invested roughly $40,000 in the wider community through sponsorships and donations to nonprofits in 2017.

“It’s my aim to have a tangible engagement in our community,” Brough said, noting Finck & Perras is intentional in supporting organizations that have a mission to improve the lives of children and people with disabilities.

Organizations the company supported range from youth sports and recreation programs in Hampshire County to Riverside Industries in Easthampton, Link to Libraries and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County. “These organizations are among the great assets of our community. They’re part of its fabric,” she said.

Brough passes on her philanthropic values to employees, encouraging them to take part in community activism and fundraising. Finck & Perras has supported the United Way of Hampshire County for 19 years, for instance, encouraging employees take part in making regular donations by offering various incentive programs.

Organizations Finck & Perras supported in 2017 include: The Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton; the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Springfield; Pathlight, Springfield; TedXEasthamptonWomen; Safe Passage, Northampton; the Northampton Family Fourth Celebration; Nonotuck Community School, Inc., Northampton; Cooley Dickinson Health Care, Northampton; and Look Memorial Park, Florence.

Finck & Perras provides home, auto, business and marine insurance and has offices in Easthampton and Florence.

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A bake sale and craft fair with over 30 vendors will also be held at the event until 1 p.m.

The annual Purple Run was started in 2012 and has raised over $5,000 for the American Cancer Society; proceeds from this year’s run will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County in June.

The goal for 2017 is to have 500 runners and walkers take part. Organizers are also looking for sponsors and volunteers to assist.

For more information or to register, contact Tom McCusker at (413)-313-2525 or visit http://www.purplerun.net.

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NORTHAMPTON –United Way of Hampshire County has awarded $765,000 in three-year funding to 10 area programs that best demonstrated their ability to make a significant and lasting difference in the lives of children in the region.

James Ayres, executive director of United Way, said 35 organizations pursued funding this year, in the area of Children, Youth and Their Families, and after an extensive process, involving hundreds of experts and community volunteers, the United Way Board of Directors announced the funded programs today.

“We’re looking for those programs that are equipped to address the most pressing needs in our community,” Ayres said. “Our process and approach is open and thorough and involves extensive conversations with experts on community need and the data that supports that need. We look deeply into the challenges that exist and where we can have the greatest impact.”

Funded initiatives will address: comprehensive family support, child advocacy, support for homeless youth, quality childcare, youth mentoring and mental health for children impacted by trauma.

The following are the funded programs and the agencies they are managed by: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a program of Center for Human Development, serving Hampshire County; Healthy Families, a program of Community Action, serving Hampshire County; Friends of Children, serving Hampshire County; Hampshire County Youth Outreach, a program of DIAL/SELF, serving Northampton; Under Five Thrive, a program of the Behavioral Health Network, serving Ware and Belchertown; Child & Family Clinic, a program of Cutchins Programs, serving Northampton; Peoples Institute, serving  Hampshire County; the Hilltown Collaborative for Children & Families, a program of the Hilltown Community Health Center, serving the Hilltowns; Girl Scouts of Western and Central Massachusetts, serving Hampshire County; and Community Centered Family Support, a program of Berkshire Children & Families, serving Hampshire County.

“Our objective is to nurture the healthy development of children and youth through approaches that are preventative in nature, address needs early and engage whole families,” Ayres said.

In addition to these three-year awards of $30,000 to $135,000, Ayres said, smaller investments of $1,000 will also be awarded to emerging initiatives.

“These smaller investments are going to organizations that aren’t yet at a level where we’re able to offer full grants as they are still developing,” Ayres said. “Yet, they are engaging key populations, and we want to support their growth and potential. We want to help bring these organizations along and to do so strategically.”

Those receiving what Ayres called “capacity-building support” are the Amherst Boys and Girls Club and Tri-County YMCA, which provides services in Ware. 

United Way offers funding to its organizations in multi-year awards, so that their efforts will continue for the next three years. In addition to its Children, Youth and Their Families support, United Way also funds initiatives focused on Economic Security and Health and Safety.  Grants for these areas will be awarded in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In making grants, United Way looks for organizations that can reach families and individuals in greatest need, engage diverse populations and demonstrate the capacity to have a long-term effect, Ayres said.

Also valued are organizations that are: interested and able to collaborate with one another; able to measure their own success; and dedicated to building on best-practices in their field.

Ayres stressed that United Way relies on a proactive and deliberate funding process and approach that makes decisions based on the changing needs and resources of our community.

“Each year, beginning in the fall, that approach begins by gathering a panel of experts on the focus area, this year Children, Youth and Their Families. These professionals offer new and critical information on need in the county and identify approaches and interventions with the greatest potential to address these challenges,” Ayres said.

A survey is then conducted in the general community, seeking additional perspectives on the region’s greatest needs. A Community Review Team made up of about 35 local volunteers review all applications, and after a meticulous process that also includes site visits to each organization that applied for funding, a recommendation is made to the full United Way Board of Directors.

United Way of Hampshire County engages and inspires the people, employers and organizations of Hampshire County to give, advocate, and volunteer on behalf of our community.  Our vision is that all individuals and families have the tools and resources to reach their full potential through education, economic security and wellness. 

 Lifting together, we build strong, vibrant, and inclusive communities. 

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit:  www.uwhampshire.org.

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As the night managing editor at the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Stan oversees the newsroom in the evening, directing reporters and editing stories. Being the business editor as well, he is also responsible for selecting stories that will be featured in the Business section of the paper from week to week, assigning those stories to reporters, then editing the finished product.

In his current positon, Stan is on the receiving end of many press releases from Beetle Press—and other businesses and nonprofits across Hampshire County. For this reason, we think he’s an invaluable resource on what editors look for in press releases, and he was kind enough to spell it out for us.

Stan is a skilled editor and writer as he has had vast experience in many different roles during his 40 years at the Gazette. He started out as a reporter, covering news on education, social services, mental health and politics. Over the years he has been an editor for all different sections of the paper, such as general news, the website, sports section, business column and overall content.

“I’ve done a lot of different things in the newsroom and that’s been positive to keep me fresh,” Stan says.

One of the most memorable days in his career was working during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 as he had to process and react to that event as both a human being with deep emotions and an objective news reporter. Even though the Pioneer Valley is removed distance-wise from where the attacks happened, the paper still had to plan its local coverage while also dealing with the national crisis on the website.

Journalism has changed tremendously since the Internet was born. Readers now have a variety of media through which they can receive news instantaneously. One effect of this is that, with the digital publishing of news, sometimes the usual checks and edits aren’t done with the same level of thoroughness and precision. This because editors are moving more quickly to accommodate consumers who rely on quick minute-by-minute updates.

Stan agrees with us that press releases are an important tool for business owners and organization leaders to call attention to the good work that they are doing. He looks for releases that highlight:

• A new business
• A business that’s expanding
• A shift in marketing strategy
• An alteration in product
• A change in or adding to members of a staff

When constructing a press release for your business, Stan advises keeping the following things in mind:

Clarity. Be clear about what is the news, what’s new, what’s different, why does your press release deserve space in the paper. Your intent should be immediate, the first thing that you learn about as you read.

Be Concise. Writing a few sentences is better than a few pages. There is not always time for the editor to read your entire release so only report on the essentials; don’t give a history of your business.

Media. Press releases can be delivered electronically by email, which gives you the advantage of being able to provide a link to your business’ website for the editor to reference if they want more information about your company.

Timing. If a press release is calling attention to a future event, it is better for the editor to receive it a month ahead of time rather than a week ahead of time. The more time that you allow the editor, the more time they have to work with you on coverage possibilities.

Contact Information. Be sure to provide the names and contact information for key people in your business that can field phone calls and set up possible interviews and photo shoots or provide more information about your company.

Persistence. If you haven’t heard back from an editor, follow-up with an email or phone call. This gets the attention of the editor and helps ensure that your press release hasn’t been forgotten at the bottom of a pile of work that the editor hasn’t had time to address. Don’t give up!

We help many clients with press releases. We’d be happy to help you as well. Contact Janice to suggest your press release idea. Or if you’re the DIY type, read our blog on sending press releases.

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It was a relay like no other, Tom says. The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County was held June 19 and 20 at Look Park in Florence, raising over $216,000 and meeting this year’s fundraising goal. Numerous family-friendly activities were offered, including live musical performances, cardboard car contests, aerobics and Zumba.

The energy was fueled by many additional highlights, such as presentations by Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz and Joanne Marqusee, president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care.

Janice manages the publicity for relay, and just today she sent out the last press release for the season, announcing that a total of$216,606 was raised and that donations will be accepted through August. Now volunteers such as Tom who have been meeting for months to organize relay, can take a short breather before regrouping to plan Relay 2016.

Relay For Life is a 24-hour fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. During relay, teams of participants take turns walking on a temporary track to raise money for cancer research and programs that benefit cancer patients and their families.

Learn more about the event or donate before Aug. 31.

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The hospital and its staff understand that Cooley Dickinson is part of a larger community, in which patients are also neighbors, friends, and family. Cooley Dickinson is known for its presenting sponsorship of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County, and Madelyn Breen, a longtime oncology nurse is seen as the face of Cooley at the event.

Rightfully so. Breen has worked at Cooley Dickinson for over 45 years. Though she officially retired in 2011, Breen continues to work in the hospital’s cancer care program. She still leads the Cooley Crusaders, one of the hospital’s staff-led Relay For Life teams, and she has been involved with the event since its premier season in Hampshire County 18 years ago.

“On a larger scale, because we are a community hospital,” said Breen, “it’s important for us to be involved in community activities. And personally, I have lost people to cancer. The people that I care for, whether they are patients, friends or family, are the inspiration for me to fight and to take part in Relay For Life.”

Cooley Dickinson, like Breen, has been with Hampshire County’s Relay from the beginning.  Its sponsorship and team donations have facilitated a stronger connection with patients and the county’s residents. This year, Cooley Dickinson presented a $10,000 sponsorship to the event.

Janice is proud of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, to which she has strong ties. She worked there for five years in the Marketing Department, and her two daughters and grandson were born there. She is a friend and former colleague of Madelyn and has worked with Madelyn and other leaders of Relay for over five years.

This year, the hospital’s Relay sponsorship comes while the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson is being built.

Avital Carlis became the administrative director of the new cancer center at the end of 2014. Relocating from Jamaica Plain near Boston to Northampton with her family has been long in coming as Carlis worked on the relationship between Cooley Dickinson and Mass General.

“Cooley Dickinson Hospital is right in the center of Northampton. We see ourselves as being a member of the town,” said Carlis. “It’s a lot of what drew me here to Cooley Dickinson. These are not only our patients, but also our neighbors who we might see at the market, or our friends and family who we spend our days with.”

The cancer center is coming after what Carlis describes as a long and happy Mass General Hospital affiliation that Cooley Dickinson has had since 2009. Carlis said that the staff is committed to treating patients with the best care available and its affiliation with Mass General gives them that increased opportunity.

With the affiliation, Carlis said, Cooley Dickinson cancer patients receive the standard of care that they would find at the major hospital in Boston, including the same chemotherapy regimens and genetic counseling. 

“More than anything, we want the cancer center to give the confidence to our community that we’re providing the best care right here at home,” Carlis said. “Patients will have the same access here as they would at a hospital in Boston. They’ll save those four hours driving back and forth every single day.”

This will be Carlis’ first Relay For Life as a member of the Cooley Dickinson community. She said she is looking forward to the event, which will be held June 19 and 20 this year in Look Memorial Park.

“We’ll be there and letting everyone know about the cancer center,” said Carlis. “What it will look like and what it will offer to our current and future patients.”

The community can be sure to see Breen and Carlis, as well as other members of the Cooley Dickinson staff, representing the Cooley Crusaders and other teams as well.

To learn more about Cooley Dickinson Hospital, visit cooley-dickinson.org. To volunteer or donate to Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/hampshirecountyma or email hamprelay@gmail.com

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Wysocki uses green products and specializes in power washing vinyl siding but also can clean aluminum siding, stucco and brick exteriors and can work to eliminate black molds, mildew, algae and heavy dirt.

Wysocki previously served as the principal of Dances With Dogs in Northampton, a day care for canines, before its closing in May 2012.

She has also worked at a plastics company in Turners Falls as an office manager, purchaser and as director of IT.

For more information on Deerfield Home Services, visit www.deerfieldhomeservices.com or find it on Facebook at Deerfield Home Services, LLC. To contact Wysocki, call 413-219-0451 or email deb@deerfieldhomeservices.com.

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The event will also include a 2.5-mile walk. Highlights include professional timing and several different classes of awards. For the first time, the event will also include a vendor/craft fair in front of the Dow Pavilion inside Look Park from 9 a.m. to noon.

To register visit http://www.purplerunforacure.com/. The registration fee is $25 per participant.

Check-in will begin for all walkers and runners at 9 a.m. at Look Park’s Dow Pavilion, with the race launching at 10 a.m. Refreshments and entertainment will be offered.

For more information, please contact race coordinators at info@purplerunforacure.com or (413) 585-1141.

Proceeds from the run/walk/fair will benefit the American Cancer Society via the Relay For Life of Hampshire County.

Held around the globe, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an event that allows participants to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

This year’s Relay in Hampshire County will be held from 3 p.m. June 19 through 3 p.m. June 20 at Look Memorial Park in Florence. This Relay For Life has raised in its 17 years, over $1.5 million and plans to raise at least $250,000 this year.

For more information about the Relay For Life or to register a team, go to www.relayforlife.org/hampshirecountyma.

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