Hallmark Institute of Photography Hosts Family-portrait Fund-raiser

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Employee United Way Campaign Committee is sponsoring a family-portrait opportunity at Hallmark Institute of Photography, to raise money for the United Way of Franklin County. The portrait date is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hallmark Institute in Turners Falls.

 Sittings will be scheduled in 15-minute intervals, with students from the Hallmark Institute taking the portraits. A $25 sitting fee must be paid before the sitting reservation can be confirmed.

Various photo packages will be available at reasonable prices. Enlargements ordered at the sitting will be ready for pickup at Baystate Franklin Medical Center within two weeks. Participants may also go online and have a calendar, holiday greeting cards, and more designed from the print. All sitting fees and proceeds from photo-enlargement sales will be donated to the United Way of Franklin County.

 “We are very excited that Hallmark Institute and its student photographers agreed to collaborate with us on this special fund-raiser again this year,” said Lynda Zukowski, assistant director of Clinical Services at the hospital, who is co-chairing this year’s BFMC campaign with Kerry Damon, director of Human Resources.

 Coordinating the event from the Hallmark side is Lisa Robinson, director of Education. “We love teaming up with Baystate,” she said. “This event does so much good; in addition to raising money to support a local, community-based charity, it provides neighbors and friends with cherished photographic memories. A lot of families come back year after year, and we love to see them.”

 Families can include their well-behaved pets in their portraits if they choose, and should state, when booking an appointment, that a pet will be included. For more information or to schedule a sitting, call Victoria Torres at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, (413) 773-2208.