Picture This

Fashion Plates

“Who doesn’t like to get dressed up?” asked Mary Argenio, program director at Ruth’s House in Longmeadow. Residents and staff members at Ruth’s House raided their closets and local thrift shops to assemble a medley of outfits for the first annual Ruth’s House Fashion Show, complete with a red carpet for the models to walk on. They displayed all types of clothing — casual gear, sportswear, business attire, and evening wear — to an audience of peers, staff, family, and friends. Here, from left, staff members Santonya Lowe and Argenio take a breather with Muriel Cohen, mistress of ceremonies, before the big event.

Pajama Party

Employees of HealthSouth of Ludlow recently delivered five large bags of brand-new pajamas to the Red Cross for local children affected by disasters. Here, Mary Nathan, left, director of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter, accepts the donation from Vicky Healy of HealthSouth. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money. Tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter, 506 Cottage St., Springfield, MA 01104. People may also donate at www.redcrosspioneervalley.org or by calling (413) 737-4306.

Warmth and Generosity

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital employees recently held a successful coat drive to benefit the Trinity Episcopal Church’s Jubilee Cupboard, the only emergency food pantry of its kind in Ware, which serves between 200 and 300 local families. “Through the many generous donations made by hospital employees, we have collected a record number of warm winter coats during our annual coat drive,” noted Joanne Champagne, radiology technologist and coat drive coordinator at the hospital. “We were very pleased with the generosity of our employees and the success of this year’s coat drive,” added Christine Shirtcliff, hospital president. “I am extremely proud of all of the employees who have offered coats to families who face hardship this year.” Pictured are, from left, Pat Gilmette, Champagne, and Michell Marchand, Radiology Department employees.

Soldiering On

The Men’s Club at Ruth’s House in Longmeadow was organized just recently; however, they did not hesitate when deciding on their first project. They collected socks and personal items for residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. It was an idea that appealed to several other community groups, and in no time, boxes and bags were collecting in the activity room at Ruth’s House. Their partners in this project included Mrs. Fraga’s class at St. Mary’s Academy in Longmeadow and employees of law firm Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C. From left, Margaret Fare, Soldiers’ Home activity director, is pictured with Harold Ser, Ethel Grant, and Mary Argenio, Ruth’s House program director, as they display some of the gifts they delivered.