Business Briefs: Jan. 31, 2025

Collection boxes for the pajama drive will be placed at Northampton Cooperative Bank’s South Hadley branch at 487 Newton St.

Collection boxes for the pajama drive will be placed at Northampton Cooperative Bank’s South Hadley branch at 487 Newton St. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SUE DRUMM

SUE DRUMM

Published: 01-30-2025 10:19 AM

Modified: 01-30-2025 10:43 AM


Tickets available for Difference Makers awards gala

HOLYOKE — Tickets are now on sale for the 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala hosted by BusinessWest, the business journal of western Massachusetts.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Tickets cost $95 per person and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets.

The Difference Makers program was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses and institutions that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley. As past winners have shown, there are many ways to make a difference within the community: through work on initiatives to improve quality of life; through success in business, public service or education; through contributions that inspire others to get involved; through imaginative efforts to help solve one or more societal issues; or through a combination of those methods.

Drumm becomes Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley president

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Sue Drumm was installed as the 2025 president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley, a nonprofit trade association with more than 1,800 members, during the 109th annual installation of officers and directors on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House in West Springfield.

A Realtor since 2009, Drumm, of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, has made a long-term commitment to the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley. Drumm has served on the association’s board of directors since 2013 and served as president in 2020. She has been involved in several committees at the association, including the Community Service, Education Fair and Expo, Finance, Government Affairs, Grievance, Member Engagement, Professional Development, Professional Standards, Nominating, and Bylaws and Policy committees.

The Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley named Drumm Realtor of the Year in 2015 and 2021. Her professional designations and certifications include the ABR, E-Pro, C2EX and Fairhaven 2.0.

The following individuals were installed as 2025 officers: Judy Nevarez of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals as president-elect; Don Thompson of NextHome Elite Realty as treasurer; and Peter Ruffini of RE/MAX Connections as immediate past president. Directors include Carrie Blair of Keller Williams Realty, Quincy Clayton of NextHome Elite Realty, Kelly Page of Trademark Real Estate, Greg Dibrindisi of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals, Erica Swallow of Coldwell Banker Realty – Western MA, Chad Lynch of NextHome Elite Realty, Jennifer Tetreault of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals, Nicolle Serafino of RE/MAX Connections and Vinny Walsh of Coldwell Banker Realty – Western MA.

Bank collecting pajama donations

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SOUTH HADLEY — Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s Northampton division is partnering with All Our Kids Inc. for a month-long pajama drive in February.

Throughout the month of February, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will serve as a drop-off location for new pajamas of all sizes for children and teenagers up to 18 years old. Donations must be new, with tags. Any type (for example, one-piece or two-piece pajamas, with short or long sleeves) will be accepted.

Collection boxes will be placed at Northampton Cooperative Bank’s South Hadley branch at 487 Newton St.

This initiative aims to support All Our Kids’ Community Closet program by collecting essential supplies for foster and adoptive families in western Massachusetts.

“We are proud to partner with All Our Kids Inc. for this important initiative,” Lisa Kmetz, executive vice president, retail and security officer, said in a statement. “We encourage our customers and the community to join us in spreading warmth and joy to children in need.”

Multi-industry job fair coming to GCC

GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will offer a multi-industry job fair on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Greenfield Community College’s Cohn Family Dining Commons.

Participating employers include Behavioral Health Network, Community Action Pioneer Valley, the Community Health Center of Franklin County, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenfield Fire Department, Judd Wire, LifePath, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and ServiceNet, to name a few.

Advance registration is not required. Call 413-774-4361 with questions.