UMassFive Raising Funds for Food Bank, UMass Cancer Walk and Run

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union is once again fundraising and participating in two charitable events this fall.

A group of six UMassFive employees took their bikes to the streets of the Pioneer Valley to participate in the 11th annual Will Bike for Food event on Sept. 26 to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The team raised more than $3,600 to donate to the cause, with several employees electing to take on the 50-mile ride for their challenge.

Monetary donations to help the Food Bank fight hunger are still being accepted through Oct. 15. Anyone interested in donating directly to Team UMassFive may do so at pledgereg.com/3820/team/16007. UMassFive members who are enrolled in the free debit rewards program Buzz Points may also redeem their rewards as a charitable donation to the Food Bank.

Team UMassFive will also be participating in the 23rd annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run at Polar Park in Worcester on Sunday, Oct. 17. A longstanding and top supporter of this event for more than 20 years, the credit union’s branches are providing plenty of ways members and the community can get involved in fundraising efforts. The Hadley branch is hosting its annual Crafting for a Cure Boutique, where UMassFive employees have donated artwork, jewelry, and much more, all of which are for sale to the public in the branch lobby. Additionally, visitors and members can enter to win a breast-cancer-awareness-themed raffle basket crafted by a UMassFive employee.

Meanwhile, the Northampton branch is collecting cash donations and hosting a contest to guess the amount of Hershey’s Kisses in a jar, with the jar and its contents going to the winner. The Worcester branch is raffling off an assortment of gift baskets. The Mercy Medical Center branch in Springfield is selling candy bars, Tastefully Simple craft products, and Paparazzi jewelry, with profits going directly toward the cause.

Existing UMassFive debit cardholders are again welcomed to redeem their Buzz Points as a charitable donation to UMass Cancer Walk and Run, while any member of the public who wishes to support Team UMassFive can make a monetary contribution at support.umasscancerwalk.org/teamumassfive.