GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank is hosting two free information sessions designed to equip first-time homebuyers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the home-buying journey. Led by Victor Rodriguez, the bank’s assistant vice president of mortgage origination, these sessions will provide insights from industry experts on various aspects of purchasing a home, from financing options to legal considerations.
The sessions will be held on:
■Thursday, June 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the E for All Center (193 High St., Holyoke)
■Tuesday, June 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s South Hadley branch (487 Newton St., South Hadley)
Some key topics to be covered include:
The Impact of Credit on Mortgages: Learn how your credit score influences your loan options and strategies to secure a favorable rate.
First-Time Homebuyer Achieve and Attain Programs: Hear about the benefits of Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s mortgage programs designed specifically for first-time homebuyers.
The Power of Pre-Approval: Understand how a pre-approval strengthens your offer and gives you an edge in a competitive market.
Beyond Financing: Gain insights from guest speakers, including a real estate agent who will introduce you to home shopping strategies and a real estate attorney who will explain the purchase-and-sale contract and closing process.
Space is limited. For more information, visit greenfieldcoopbank.com/events.
SPRINGFIELD — In the wake of rising food insecurity, Freedom Credit Union is extending its annual “Month of Giving” campaign for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to three months. The community is encouraged to stop by any Freedom Credit Union branch — including those in Greenfield and Turners Falls — to donate nonperishable food and personal care items, as well as cash donations, from June 1 through Aug. 31.
“Anyone who buys food or other necessities for themselves or their families knows that the cost of everything has risen significantly over the past three years,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “This means that more people than ever are experiencing food insecurity and need relief. Our members, staff and community have always given generously to help support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, an organization on the front lines of food assistance in our region.”
Suggested donations of nonperishable food and personal care items include: baby formula; beans in cans or dried in bags; bread mixes; canned chicken, fish and meat; cereals; coffee and tea; cooking oils and spices; diapers, wipes and toilet paper; dried or canned fruit; evaporated/powdered milk; granola bars and crackers; feminine sanitary products; instant potatoes; pasta and noodles; peanut butter and nuts; rice and grains; sauces; shampoo and body wash/soap; soups, stews and chili in cans; toothpaste and toothbrushes; and vegetables in cans.
“Last summer’s campaign extended over two months, and we collected more than $2,700 plus food and personal care donations,” Welch noted. “We are hoping to increase our total contribution this year, and urge our members, staff and neighbors to donate as generously as possible. Throwing an extra item or two in your grocery cart every week or so can add up to a good-sized donation after three months, without affecting your bottom line too significantly.”
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been feeding those in need since 1982. It provides food to residents in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties through its members, which include independent food pantries, meal sites and shelters.
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Pilot Precision Products, a manufacturer of standard, computer numerical control (CNC) and custom broaching tools, has made most of its 150-plus page catalog available on MachiningCloud.
This database provides detailed information on each tool, including its grade, geometric properties, 3-D models and application recommendations where available. MachiningCloud users can use the advanced tool selectors, download models for the tools, and create assemblies with toolholders for their jobs.
“Establishing a presence on MachiningCloud is an extension of our tooling concierge service that consists of our team members recommending the best precision cutting tools for customers’ applications,” Marco Morgado, director of commercial operations with Pilot Precision Products, said in a statement. “We believe that people should benefit from the best tooling selector available online. If someone does not know what tooling they need, they can go to MachiningCloud, which allows them to find the required tools in seconds instead of minutes, or hours, if they search catalogs the traditional way.”
After customers input cutting diameter, cutting length, overall length and other critical parameters of their applications, the configurator provides lists of appropriate tools. The configurator also allows users to download 3-D models when available and build 3-D models of the tool assemblies they need.
“By establishing a presence on MachiningCloud, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing our customers with a smooth experience in determining the tooling they need for their applications,” Morgado said. “As time becomes more valuable, helping people quickly obtain the information they need to make crucial decisions strengthens our position as a valuable resource.”
GREENFIELD — Sandri Energy has promoted Rudy Herzig to the position of manager of HVAC, plumbing, sales and service, while Leslie Cernak has been appointed as vice president of operations, overseeing heating fuels, commercial fuels and mechanical services divisions.
Herzig started with Sandri in 2003, became a licensed oil burner technician in 2004 and quickly advanced to the position of lead installer. He excels with troubleshooting heating and cooling system issues, and he takes pride in providing quality service. For the past several years he has been in a service manager support role, where he gained management experience.
With more than 36 years of experience in the fuel oil and propane industry, Cernak brings considerable expertise to her new position. She previously served as vice president and treasurer at Cernak Fuel in Easthampton until its acquisition by HOP Energy in 2018, where she continued to contribute in compliance and legal support roles. Cernak chairs the executive board of directors for the National Energy & Fuels Institute and earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law for legal studies in energy and natural resource law.
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College nursing faculty has named Lauren Bell the third Jean Simmons Nursing Faculty Chair for Bell’s dedication to the GCC nursing program and her students.
The Jean Simmons Endowed Chair was established in 2013 with a $1 million gift from anonymous donors. It was the first endowed faculty position at a community college in Massachusetts.
“Lauren always puts her students first and demonstrates professionalism and exceptional patient care in the clinical setting,” Melanie Ames Zamojski, GCC dean of nursing programs, said in a statement describing Bell. “Within our laboratory, she’s developed simulations that test our students in ways that allow them to show their knowledge and the patient-centered care they’ve learned in the classroom.”
Since joining the GCC nursing faculty in 2012, Bell has guided the faculty through curriculum and program assessments and outcomes, and has helped her colleagues incorporate the newest style of National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) questions to better prepare students for their licensing exam. Bell has also served on several college committees, including student activities and professional development. She co-teaches the second-year medical-surgical courses and has led the graduating class in organizing their pinning ceremony.
Bell earned her bachelor’s degree at Elmira College and her master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to her work at GCC, Bell is a nurse at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in the progressive care unit.
“A lot of students want to make a difference, and a lot of them have the ability to do so,” Bell said in a statement. “If I can support these talented students in pursuing their education, I feel honored for that.”
The endowed nursing chair was named for longtime GCC nurse educator Jean Doherty Simmons. She was the first nursing program applicant to be admitted as a GCC nursing student, and she graduated with the first class from the program in 1965.