Bank donates to Children’s Advocacy Center

ORANGE — Greenfield Cooperative Bank presented a $30,000 donation to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and the North Quabbin on Monday, Oct. 28, to support its new site in Orange, which is expected to open before the end of 2024.

The new location will enable the Children’s Advocacy Center to expand its services to the Orange and Athol communities. The organization coordinates medical, legal, educational and mental health services to promote safety, justice, healing and hope for child victims of abuse.

“GCB is committed to supporting the organizations that make a difference in our communities,” Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with the Children’s Advocacy Center to help them provide critical services to children and families in need.”

Info session to inform first-time homebuyers

CHICOPEE — Greenfield Cooperative Bank is hosting a free information session 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, the info session will provide insights from industry experts on various aspects of purchasing a home.

The session — which is for informational purposes only and does not offer a certificate of completion — will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, 25 Carew St. in Chicopee.

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the home buying process, from financing options to legal considerations. Some key topics that will be covered include:

The Impact of Credit on Mortgages: Learn how a credit score influences an individual’s loan options and strategies to secure a favorable rate.

GCB’s FTHB Achieve and Attain Programs: Discover the benefits of GCB’s mortgage programs designed specifically for first-time homebuyers.

The Power of Pre-Approval: Understand how a pre-approval strengthens an offer and gives prospective buyers an edge in a competitive market.

Beyond Financing: Gain insights from guest speakers, including a real estate agent who will discuss 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.

Eversource recognized for Main Streets program

SPRINGFIELD — Eversource is being recognized by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for its efforts to help customers save energy. The organization announced the winners of its 2024 Leaders of the Pack awards, honoring Eversource as a leader in the Small Commercial Buildings category for its Main Streets program in Massachusetts.

Main Streets is the company’s small business energy efficiency initiative, launched with the goal of reaching micro businesses and environmental justice communities that might not otherwise be aware of the programs and offerings available to them.

Through Main Streets, Eversource partners with municipalities to connect these small and micro business owners with approved contractors who offer no-cost energy assessments to discuss upgrades that lower energy use and reduce costs.

“We are extremely proud to have received this recognition for our Main Streets program, which has helped more than 3,000 local small businesses in Massachusetts reduce their energy use over the past several years,” Eversource Vice President for Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility Tilak Subrahmanian said in a statement. “Program participants save, on average, $68 per kilowatt-hour and $5.33 per therm, which can give them a crucial competitive advantage as well as additional savings to reinvest in their businesses. We’re excited to continue evolving this program as we work with community leaders and nonprofits to bring our services and resources to historically underserved groups.”

Freedom Credit Union seeks donations to support military service members

SPRINGFIELD — During November, Freedom Credit Union is collecting cash donations at all its branches throughout western Massachusetts to help the Westover Galaxy Community Council support military service members and their families at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.

“We salute the service and sacrifices of the brave men and women serving at the Westover Base,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “Especially with the holidays coming, having loved ones away from home is challenging. We hope our contributions help ease the burden on military families.”

Formed in 1988 as a committee within the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and incorporated as an independent organization in 1989, the Westover Galaxy Community Council is made up of veterans, local businesspeople and other citizens who support the men, women and mission of the Westover Air Reserve Base. Within Department of Defense guidelines, the Westover Galaxy Community Council raises money to contribute to events and special needs at the Westover Air Reserve Base.

Anyone can contribute at any Freedom Credit Union branch. Freedom Credit Union has branches across western Massachusetts, including in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

“You don’t have to be a Freedom member,” Welch said. “We feel fortunate to have such a generous community helping us give back to our troops.”