Volunteers and $10,000 Block Sponsorship to be provided

FLORENCE—Florence Bank will support Revitalize CDC’s 2025 #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild event with a $10,000 Block Sponsorship and a record number of bank volunteers who will lend a hand on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For several years, the bank and its employees have supported the organization and its mission to improve homes, neighborhoods and lives through preservation, education and community involvement. Joe Kulig, vice president / commercial loan officer and a Revitalize CDC board member for over 25 years, and Nikki Gleason, vice president / manager of the West Springfield branch, are house captains for the bank’s project, inspiring other bank employees to take part.

During #GreenNFit this year, roughly 800-1,000 community volunteers will make critical repairs and modifications to the homes of roughly 15-20 low-income families with children, elderly, military veterans or people with special needs in the Calhoun Park area of Springfield’s North End. Fifteen Florence Bank employees will take part.

Work will include yard clean-up, exterior painting and fixing decks and stairs. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, city councilors and state legislators are expected to also be involved.

“This year will be one of the largest turnouts from the bank perspective,” Kulig said. “It’s gotten a lot of attention internally in past years when volunteers come back to the bank and tell people about it. It drives interest, and that’s why our numbers are growing.”

Gleason, a house captain for the event since 2016, said, “We’re all happy to be part of something that improves the neighborhood. It’s an infectious good feeling with a positive effect on the whole neighborhood, and it helps raise awareness about the organization.”

Revitalize CDC was founded in 1992 as an all-volunteer agency that raised roughly $40,000 each year and assisted about five families annually. Today, it serves over 800 families a year with a $5 million annual budget. Revitalize CDC serves Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, with its primary reach in Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield. 

The goal of #GreenNFit is to make homes more energy efficient, safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing. 

“We are very grateful for the support of Florence Bank and appreciate the show of support from its leaders and employees,” said Colleen Shanley-Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC in Springfield. “Florence Bank knows and values the community and the nonprofit organizations that support it. Consistently, they step up as a good neighbor.”

Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said, “We are pleased to be able to support Revitalize CDC in its efforts to keep people safe in their homes. I’m proud of our employees who get out there and help.”

Kulig got Florence Bank involved with the agency when he joined the bank’s staff in September 2018. 

To learn more about Revitalize CDC or get involved with #GreenNFit, visit revitalizecdc.com.

To learn more about Florence Bank, visit FlorenceBank.com.

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 Florence Financial Group to consumers and businesses. 

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The bank also supported the agency’s 2024 #GreenNFit event as $10,000 Block Sponsor

FLORENCE—Florence Bank recently pledged a $25,000 gift to Revitalize CDC’s $3 million capital campaign, launched in 2023. Funds will be used to develop a 3,200-square-foot warehouse that will allow the Springfield-based nonprofit to better serve its audience of low-income families, seniors, veterans and those with special needs.

Colleen Shanley-Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC, said the organization purchased its first office in January 2023, in Springfield, yet additional space was needed. In addition to improvements to the building, campaign funds will allow the development of a much-needed warehouse and distribution center for volunteers and nutritional supplies, creating the means to better serve clients and also expand through the hiring of additional staff.

“Florence Bank is a good neighbor,” Shanley-Loveless said. “It’s a local bank, and it knows the community. The bank knows everybody needs a little help now and then, and the bank is there to help. We appreciate that.”

Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said, “It’s important to the bank to stay active in the regions we serve. We want to help organizations in the community serve those neighbors who need a helping hand.”

Revitalize CDC has a mission to improve homes, neighborhoods and lives through preservation, education and community involvement. It oversees the repair and modification of area homes for its clients and also offers a health and nutrition program.

The organization was founded in 1992 as an all-volunteer agency that raised roughly $40,000 each year and assisted about five families annually. Today, it serves over 800 families a year with a $5 million annual budget. Revitalize CDC serves Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, with its primary reach in Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield. 

“We’re really a basic needs organization, providing food and shelter,” Shanley-Loveless added.

Joe Kulig, vice president / commercial lender for Florence Bank, has been involved with Revitalize CDC since November 1996 and is the longest-serving board member. He has seen it through various name changes and watched it expand over the years.

Kulig got Florence Bank involved with the agency when he joined the bank’s staff in September 2018. A West Springfield resident, he enjoys having an outlet to help his neighbors, and he finds it rewarding that the bank has supported Revitalize CDC over the years with annual gifts for its #GreenNFit event and volunteer helpers. 

The bank assisted with the effort again this year, offering volunteers and a $10,000 sponsorship, and Kulig and Nikki Gleason, vice president / branch manager in West Springfield, once again took part, leading teams of staff helpers.

Each year through the #GreenNFit event, the organization selects a neighborhood in Springfield and upgrades roughly a dozen homes. This year, efforts are focused on Chapin Terrace and Massassoit, Jardine and Lancashire streets.

The goal of #GreenNFit is to make homes more energy efficient, safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing. The CDC’s Fundraising Committee, which Gleason has served on since 2016, seeks sponsorships, and volunteers do everything from tidying yards, power washing siding and staining fences and gates to removing carpeting that might be causing asthmatic flare-ups or installing deck railings.

“Everybody in each neighborhood gets involved,” Gleason said. “It’s the best comradery I’ve ever witnessed. It brings out the best in everybody, and the work we do revitalizes whole streets.”

This year’s #GreenNFit event took place on April 27.

Roughly $2 million has been received toward the $3 million capital campaign goal. Funds have also paid for updated heating and cooling systems in the main 7,000-square-foot CDC building, roof replacement, new carpeting, new furniture and video equipment. 

Tax credits are available on donations over $1,000. For more information, or to volunteer for #GreenNFit or donate to the campaign, visit revitalizecdc.com. Those interested in sponsorship can email cloveless@revitalizecdc.com or call or 860-668-9701.

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.

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