Page 31 - Healthcare News Jan/Feb 2022

UMassFive Raises More Than $16,000 in 2021 for UMass Cancer Center
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that its employees raised more than $16,000 for the UMass Cancer Center through partici- pation in the 23rd annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run at Polar Park in Worcester.
Supporters of this event for more than 20 years, UMassFive employees join together annually as Team UMassFive
to raise funds for the cause, both person- ally and in branch locations. In 2021, fundraising efforts included the Hadley branch hosting its annual Crafting for a Cure Boutique, where employees donated artwork, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, which were sold in the branch lobby. Other branch efforts included raffle baskets, bake sales, candy sales, and jewelry sales.
UMassFive debit cardholders were welcomed to redeem their ‘Buzz Points’ as
Team UMassFive celebrates the success of its participation in the UMass Cancer Walk and Run at Polar Park in Worcester.
a charitable donation to the UMass Can- cer Walk and Run. Donations were also sought from the credit union’s corporate partners, whose support helps bolster efforts each year. Including funds raised in 2021, Team UMassFive is proud to have raised more than $158,000 in donations
to the UMass Cancer Center over the lifetime of their participation.
“Cancer is something that touches near- ly every family in some way,” said Cait Murray, Community Outreach manager at UMassFive. “Our employees participate in the Cancer Walk each year because it’s near to their hearts, and they know the funds will support local cancer research and clinical trials at the UMass Cancer Center in Worcester. The generosity of our employees, members, and community is truly astounding and makes such a big impact in the fight for a cure.”
MassDevelopment Bond Boosts Springfield College Projects
SPRINGFIELD — MassDevelopment has issued a $106,675,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Springfield College, which will use proceeds to fund several capital projects.
The college will use $45,095,000 to build and equip
a new environmentally friendly and sustainable, 76,000-square-foot health sciences building; this portion of the financing received the Green Bond designation by Kestrel Verifiers, which are approved verifiers accredited by the Climate Bonds Initiative.
The college will use the remaining proceeds to build an academic quad and campus pavilion; renovate class- rooms, residence halls, administrative buildings, and the existing health sciences building; improve a steam-plant facility; upgrade walking and running paths and outdoor seating; and refinance previously issued debt. The bond was sold through a public offering underwritten by Hill-
top Securities Inc.
“Institutions of higher education are important driv-
ers of our state and local economies as they bring jobs, opportunities, and additional activity to communities across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s board of directors. “Mass- Development is a valuable partner to those colleges and universities looking to modernize infrastructure and remain competitive hubs of innovation and intellectual exploration.”
MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera added that “this major investment represents Springfield College’s commitment to its students, staff, and the entire Greater Springfield community. MassDevelopment is proud to lend a helping hand to support construction of a new health sciences building and significant upgrades to
the college’s campus and academic facilities.”
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno offered “a big thank
you to MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera, who — once a mayor, always a mayor — understands that these types of investments into our community are es- sential to maintain and move forward on capital projects while not hindering an institution’s bottom line. I am very appreciative of MassDevelopment’s continued support, belief, and investment in our Springfield, especially to Springfield College over these past years. This public-pri- vate partnership continues to greatly enhance the campus of Springfield College, which in turn has increased overall quality of life to the surrounding neighborhood. In ad- dition, and just as important, these improvements and various upgrades of the amenities and facilities the college has to offer benefits our residents, especially our students and their families.”
Springfield College Student Advocates for Wellness Earn Award
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College Student Advocates for Wellness team recently received the Out- standing Peer Education Program Award at the annual National Assoc. of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) general-assembly peer-education conference.
“This award is especially meaningful because it repre- sents creative programming that had to be accomplished in a way that was safe and still important during a global pandemic,” said Christine Johnston, Springfield College’s assistant director of Alcohol & Other Drug Education and Health Promotion.
The Springfield College team was recognized for their dedication to the “Asking for a Friend” Instagram pro- gram they expanded during the pandemic, which allowed students to submit questions weekly that pertained to student wellness, with the questions answered in real time
through Instagram.
“The Asking for a Friend program was started several
years ago when one of the former Student Advocates for Wellness came to the group looking for a way to answer all the questions she was receiving,” Johnston said. “The team decided to use Instagram stories as a way to address the questions, and each week, they have been answering questions online. The topics range, and often include mental health, relationship issues, stress, substance use, sexual health, and campus-life questions. Students can fol- low @sc_studentadvocates to submit questions and view the stories, or students can drop them anonymously into an ‘Asking for a Friend’ jar, available at most of the team’s programs.”
This marks the second consecutive national award for Student Advocates for Wellness. In 2020, they were named
the NASPA Outstanding Peer Education Group.
“I am honored that this special group of students have been chosen as a national award recipient by NASPA two
years in a row,” Johnston said. “We are beyond lucky to have this team serving the health and wellness needs of our campus.”
The current Student Advocates for Wellness team consists of Myah Baird, Lexie Carroccio, Jack Costa, Han- nah Day, Gabby DeRose, Erin Duffy, Patrick Hall, Katie Kelly, Pam Marino, Katelee McCormic, Annalee Pagliaro, Rachel Perry, Kaitlyn Rego, Arianna Vessicchio, and Chalan Whelan, and is supervised by Johnston and GA Rahab Moktan. This year’s award is also shared with 2021 recent graduates Allison Leary, Sarah Hogan, Leah Mills, Garrett Ossolinski, April Phelps, Grace Pedersen, and GA Kelsi Baker.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM
31