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Protective balustrade railings replaced
Local food pantry seeks volunteers By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Serving Southwick, Granville, and Tolland, the Our Community Food Pantry has put a request out to the community that they are looking for volunteers to help their cause. “This is an opportunity to help people in the community to help relieve hunger,” said Our Community Food Pantry Director Sally Munson. There are several volunteering options that interested individuals will have. On the second Tuesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. until Noon, there is a need to unload and store product that was delivered to the food pantry. People must be able to lift at least 40 pounds for that particular task. Other opportunities to volunteer are on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and also Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Munson noted that that the key responsibilities for volunteers will be assisting clients with shopping and carrying groceries, sorting products, stocking shelves, and light cleaning. The pantry is seeking out people who would have a strong passion to help. “We’re looking to put a group of people together who are willing to commit,” said Munson. Munson also added that she is also looking for people to volunteer and pick up produce on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays at the Big Y in Southwick. The mobile food truck that the Our Community Food Pantry got from the Community Development Block Grant that was announced in
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Our Community Food Pantry Director Sally Munson is looking for individuals to volunteer. (WNG File Photo) August of 2016 is expected to be delivered to the pantry in late July. If anyone is interested in volunteering, contact Munson at 413-569-
9876 or stop by during their pantry hours, as they are listed on their Facebook Page.
Wrong-way crash on Mass. Pike By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent RUSSELL–A reported two-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on the Massachusetts Turnpike Monday afternoon sent two people to the hospital, according to Massachusetts State Police. According to Massachusetts State Police Officer Chris Cudley, two vehicles collided on Interstate 90 westbound in Russell, around mile marker 35.2, after one of the vehicles was reportedly traveling the wrong way, heading east. The crash reportedly occurred around 2:29 p.m., according to Cudley. Cudley said that both drivers were transported to the hospital, though which hospital or hospitals was not specified. There was no update on their conditions at the time of the report.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD--The city’s project to replace balustrades around several city parks is complete. According to Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan, the balustrades around Women’s Temperance, Half Mile and Kane-Wojtkiewicz parks, located in the Great River Bridge portion of the city, have been replaced following a project that began in the spring of this year. The previous balustrades at the parks were previously deemed unsafe, which resulted in the city working to replace them. “It has been some time to finish the project, but we did it without using new money and also addressed the most concerning aspect which is the safety of the parks,” Sullivan said via text message. “I look forward to scheduling events on the north side of the river and bring the enjoyment of the scenic area back to life.” According to Tammy Tefft, purchaser for the city, the project cost around $210,000. The project, according to a previous report, was expected to cost the city about $300,000. The money for the project came from a bond that was previously passed for park improvements, including the Bullens Field and bleacher repairs ahead of last year’s Babe Ruth World Series. According to Sullivan, the city is discussing possible financial solutions with all involved parties. The initial balustrades were installed in 2012, as part of the Great River Bridge Project funded by the state. The city had an assessment done by third-party engineering firm Habeeb and Associates, and following that it was suggested that the balustrades be replaced to improve the safety of the areas. Tefft said that the parks where the balustrade work was done are now open but there is still some cleaning up to do at the sites.
A view of the new balustrades at KaneWojtkiewicz park. The project to replace them has been recently completed.
Cancer House of Hope seeks volunteers WEST SPRINGFIELD — Cindy SheridanMurphy remembers walking into the Cancer House of Hope three years ago like it was yesterday. “I was just diagnosed with breast cancer and I was petrified,” she recalls,“and I was greeted with such warmth and compassion. One of the volunteers scheduled me for a reiki appointment and pointed me towards one of the many support groups. Throughout the next several months I visited weekly and was always greeted with a smile by someone who’d listen. The volunteers would put aside hats and scarves they thought I would like. It was the unselfishness of these volunteers that made me want to join them someday.” And join them she did: Cindy volunteers at Cancer House of Hope. “The feeling I get when someone walks in the same door with panic on their face, just like I did, and knowing that giving them a few minutes of my time gives them hope, that’s priceless. That is what motivates me to make a difference in the life of a cancer survivor.” Cancer House of Hope, located at 1999 Westfield Street in West Springfield, enhances the lives of people with cancer and those who care about them. The House provides emotional, educational, social and spiritual support services and relaxation programs free of charge. “It is our mission to be a supportive, caring and hopeful place of healing,” says Program Director Joe Kane. “We serve 400 guests a year, and every penny of every dollar donated to the House directly supports programming and the people we serve.” People who have personal experience as guests of the House are among the organiza-
tion’s most committed volunteers. Consider what Laurie Murphy says about her volunteer experience. “Every day is different volunteering at the Cancer House of Hope,” she explains. “There’s the bookkeeping and the simple housekeeping, but the most meaningful part of volunteering for me is helping the people that come in the door. To give them a tour, book them for a massage, or just sit and listen to what they are feeling is a very humbling and gratifying experience for me.” Latoya Davis is thankful for the opportunity to volunteer at Cancer House of Hope. “Being a volunteer has been so rewarding,” she says. “There are so many stories, hugs, and tears. Like when a person comes in and cries thanking me for something simple like a welcome letter I sent home that came at the right time because they had a hard treatment and were feeling down.Or when someone who is newly diagnosed comes into the House nervous, sometimes in tears, but leaves with a smile and with a sense of hope. I find it an honor to be apart of someone’s support system while they are going through this difficult time in their lives.” Joe Kane describes volunteers as the “beating heart” of the Cancer House of House. “Their commitment to provide a welcoming place where people feel at home is crucial to our mission of service,” he explains. “And it doesn’t take much time. Most volunteers
work a regular 3-hour shift each week and we try to be flexible to accommodate personal schedules.” Who is a good candidate to volunteer? “Anyone who has personal, lived experience with cancer and its effects on individuals and families,” says Kane. “Someone who has been through a cancer experience themselves is in a unique position to be a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on. These people are often highly motivated to give something back, too. Some volunteers are people whose lives were impacted by the cancer diagnosis of someone they care about. And some volunteers are just people with compassionate hearts.” Kane encourages prospective volunteers to think about their own passions and talents so they can put them to productive use in service to others. He also points out an intriguing statistic: about 80% of the people who walk
through the door at the House are women. “I think that might reflect the nature of the services we offer and also the social nature of women,” he contends, “but men seek out our services, too. It would be great to have more male volunteers to provide the kind of connection that comes when two men talk to each other.” One crucial job performed by volunteers is answering the phone. “Since we most often make our first connection with guests on the phone, this is a very important job,” says Kane. “You also could make sure the House is clean and presentable, greet guests who walk in our door, and give tours. You could schedule and update appointments. You could listen to a guest’s story and offer support, or aid a guest in finding a wig or prosthetic.” Any service organization has practical considerations, too, and the House is always interested in volunteers who speak a language in addition to English. People with experience in fund raising, event planning, office management or building maintenancecan help with the operation of the House. Certified massage therapists, reiki practitioners, or yoga instructor are sought after as well. “The satisfaction that comes with volunteering is immeasurable,” Kane believes. “Cancer House of Hope provides a volunteer orientation program to help you understand our mission and values, and get you started right. If you think you’d be a good fit, or if you just want to learn more about the opportunity, please contact me today.” Joe Kane can be reached at 413-733-1858 orjkane@chd.org.