Enhanced Hall of Fame programming to be showcased during April school vacation week; visitors with a Florence Bank debit card to receive 50 percent off cost of admission 

FLORENCE—Florence Bank donated $100,000 to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to support its multi-phase, multi-year renovation, and as programming ramps up for families visiting during April vacation week, new and ongoing 50 percent admission discounts will be one benefit for bank customers.

The savings for those who use their Florence Bank debit card for admittance to the museum is a recent enhancement and will be an ongoing benefit of the long-term partnership the bank has with the Hall of Fame. The discount will be in effect during school vacation week from April 18 to 22.

The collaboration between the bank and museum began roughly a decade ago with a Florence Bank ATM at the Hall of Fame. It has since grown to support programming of all kinds, including a Dribble Parade held by the bank several years ago to celebrate its first branch in Hampden County. Customers and community members dribbled basketballs through the streets of West Springfield in an event that also included Hall of Famer Teresa Edwards.

“We want to do our best to make sure we are taking care of the community. That’s one of the goals that we’ve had in working with Florence Bank, and we’re trying to amplify it,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Hall of Fame. He added, “Florence Bank’s partnership with the Hall of Fame has played a crucial role in getting us where we are today.”

Michael Pietrzak, director of partnerships, said the museum renovations began four years ago, and the bank’s gift of $100,000 came in phases over the past five years, with the final $20,000 gift made recently.

“The unique thing about the Basketball Hall of Fame is that it’s a global brand, recognized all across the world, with visitors from China and Australia. Yet, we have strong partners here in the community,” Pietrzak said. “Our relationship with Florence Bank is on top of the list.”

The bank helps make the museum and participation in its events, such as Enshrinement Weekend, more accessible to area residents, and Florence Bank partners with the Hall of Fame on events, such as a high school tournament called the Hoop Hall Classic. 

As work to enhance the museum progressed over four years, sections of the museum closed in phases. Pietrzak said a reopening was celebrated in July 2020, but because of the pandemic, visitation was at a minimum for the year. However, since July 2021, attendance to the museum has surpassed pre-pandemic levels each month.

Those who have toured the space have been impressed with the new features, which include a new theater in which all visitors watch a brief signature film on the history of basketball; a more interactive Hall of Fame Hall of Honor, in which visitors can thoroughly research Hall of Famers backgrounds; and new digital exhibits, including one in which visitors can superimpose images of themselves in game play with Hall of Famers. 

“Whether people love basketball or have little interest, we’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback from guests because of the wide variety of features the museum now offers,” Pietrzak said.

During April school vacation, the museum hopes to offer appearances by celebrities, which could include virtual appearances on a brand new 40-foot LED screen on center court.

“Florence Bank was founded on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Florence Bank President and CEO Kevin Day. “The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is one of our neighbors and an economic driver in our community. If you haven’t visited since it reopened, I encourage you to stop by—and use your Florence Bank debit card to enjoy the discounted admission.” 

About Florence Bank

Florence Bank is a mutually-owned 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.

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Event at Greenleaf Community Center Basketball Court was a collaboration by Florence Bank, the city of Springfield, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD—A basketball event that celebrated the restoration of the court at the Greenleaf Community Center—just in time for summer pick-up games—netted $7,500 in donations for five area nonprofits.

Roughly 50 area residents attended the festivities, which included a demonstration by a comedic basketball troupe called the Court Jesters. Several dozen adults and children took part in the Helping Hoops Challenge. As part of this game that benefitted nonprofits, participants took shots at the basket from three designated points on the court—one that was “kid-friendly” for younger children.  

The plan was to give each nonprofit $100 or $25 per basket, depending on the distance from the hoop. But Florence Bank and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were feeling generous during the athletic and festive event.

John F. Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank, ended the celebration by announcing that each nonprofit would receive $1,000 each from the bank. Additionally, Jason Fiddler, vice president of sales, marketing and partnerships for the Hall of Fame, offered $500 per nonprofit from his organization.

The following nonprofits received the donations: Camp STAR Angelina, Dunbar Community Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, Urban League of Springfield, and Open Pantry Community Services.

The event was a celebration of the rejuvenation of the basketball court at Greenleaf Community Center, which is only a few miles from Florence Bank’s new Allen Street branch.

The city of Springfield and Florence Bank each contributed $15,000 to repave and paint the court at the center for young people in the neighborhood. Two new hoops and backboards were also installed.

The event was to celebrate the opening of the new court and was a collaboration between the bank, the city of Springfield, and the Hall of Fame. Longtime media personality Scott Coen served as emcee and Brian Fowler of New England Disc Jockey provided music.

The celebration began under a tent beside the court—where new backboards display the Florence Bank logo.

“When we open a new branch, we like to show people what kind of neighbors we’re going to be,” said Monica Curhan, senior vice president/marketing director, kicking the event off. “We hope you leave thinking we are fun neighbors!”

Heaps grew up near the Allen Street branch and said, “This is my neighborhood.” He also praised the city and the Hall of Fame for partnering with the bank in the celebration, and he offered kudos to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno as, “a true leader who wants to make things happen here.”

Sarno told the young people in the audience—all eager to begin shooting hoops—“Excel on and off the court. Do well on the court and on the tests, and with that combination, you can’t lose.”

He added, “You’ll represent the good in the city of Springfield.”

Heaps and Sarno made the transition from presentation to play with a jump ball in the center of the newly painted court. A player from the Court Jesters made the toss.

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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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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Two hundred people to bounce basketballs from the Boys & Girls Club to the new center

WEST SPRINGFIELD—Led by a Basketball Hall of Famer, 200 people dribbling basketballs will march from the Boys & Girls Club of West Springfield to Union Street on Saturday, Oct. 14 as the West Springfield High School band plays Florence Bank’s “Always” song.

In an event aptly dubbed the Florence Bank Dribble Parade, bank and city leaders and area residents will celebrate the opening of the bank’s new Hampden County Banking Center at 1010 Union St.—the bank’s first branch in Hampden County. At the same time, it will also honor its partnerships with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Boys & Girls Club. A rain date is set for Oct. 15.

The parade and grand opening event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, where Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr. will speak and present club leaders with a gift of $50 per participating dribbler, up to $10,000. The parade, led by a surprise Hall of Famer, will then step off into Main Street from the club at 12:30 p.m. and proceed down New Bridge Street to the banking center.

Up to 200 people will each dribble an Under Armour basketball, purchased locally at psi 91 in Springfield for the event, without stopping on the .6-mile parade route. Children interested in dribbling in the parade are invited to register to take part in the event at www.florencebank.com/dribble; registrations will be capped at 200, and each child will receive a free basketball.

Dribblers must be at least 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. All dribblers should arrive at the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club, at 615 Main St., West Springfield, at 11:30 a.m. to check-in and receive their basketballs.

Mayor Will Reichelt and other West Springfield leaders are expected to march in the parade and take part in the festivities at the banking center, which will include face painting, games, basketball competitions, and demonstrations by the Court Jesters, a comedic basketball troupe. Two food trucks, the Bistro Bus and Log Rolling, will provide meals.

“This festive celebration will honor our new branch and its employees, as well as the important relationships we have created and nurtured in Hampden County,” Heaps said.

Florence Bank opened its new, full-service Hampden County Banking Center on Aug. 24, prompted to expand into Hampden County by the mergers and buyouts that have defined the banking landscape in past years, leaving Springfield without a community bank headquartered there.

The Dribble Parade and celebration comes one month after a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the branch on Sept. 14 with Heaps, bank staff and community leaders in attendance to officially commemorate the opening of the bank’s 10^th branch.

In 2007, Florence Bank opened a loan production office in West Springfield, the success of which is responsible for transforming the bank’s total commercial loan portfolio to more than 36 percent from Hampden County-based businesses. That success also made clear the need for the full-service branch.

In the next three to five years, Florence Bank plans to open additional branches in the Greater Springfield area.

All of Florence Bank’s products and services will be offered through the center, located at the corner of Memorial Avenue and Union Street in one third of a 9,000-square-foot plaza that will also hold other commercial tenants.

The Hampden County Banking Center has eight employees including: Branch Manager Maureen Buxton; Assistant Branch Manager Stephanie Moore; Commercial Lenders James Montemayor and Henry Downey; Mortgage Loan Originator Susan Seaver; and John Ernst of Florence Bank’s Financial Group, who will be available by appointment.

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

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