The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast is just 12 days away, and Valley Gives is tomorrow. Valley Gives provides you the opportunity to give your support to non-profit organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley.

This is the Spirit of Springfield's first time participating in the on-line fundraising effort. We hope you will make a donation to support our efforts to celebrate Springfield's biggest, best and brightest.

- Judy Matt
President

Springfield's Birthday Bash

Celebrate Springfield's 380th birthday with the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 14, from 8AM to 11AM. Sponsored by MGM Springfield, the annual flapjack feast is filled with community spirit and festivities.

The breakfast table will run down Main Street from Court Square to Tower Square. There will be volunteers flipping flapjacks, serving coffee and juice. A team from Gleason Johndrow Landscaping will be working with the Massachusetts Army National Guard to be sure everything is where it needs to be. The Springfield Business Improvement District and the Hampden County Sheriff's Department will keep everything neat and tidy.

The total tally for volunteers is 300. Go to spiritofspringfield.org for a complete list.

On the Menu

Pancakes are a must for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. It is what is served with them that make it special. There will be Carando Classic Italian Apple Cider Bacon and H.P. Hood orange juice, milk and creamer. The coffee will be donated and brewed by the Sheraton Springfield.

All will be served on paper products donated by Health New England, Baystate Health and Mansfield Paper.

Tickets are just $3 for adults, $1 for children and free for nearly 65,000 students who will have their tickets delivered by American Medical Response.

All the generous donors are listed on spiritofspringfield.org.

Pancake Breakfast Video Wall

Standing tall in Court Square will be a 20-foot by 12-foot LED video wall. It will feature video games, social media, live streaming video, a green screen for photos and more. Use #worldslargestpancakebreakfast and your Instagram could be posted on the screen.

It is just one of the great activities happening in Court Square and on Main Street. Others include McDonald's Happiness Tour, American Legion Post #21 Dunk Tank, Springfield Police K-9 Paws for a Cause, Springfield Fire Department, Peter Brice Brigade reinactment, horse-drawn wagon and mini train rides. There are also two entertainment stages.

For a complete schedule, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Valley Giving

Help the Spirit of Springfield reach its fundraising goal May 3 during Valley Gives! The goal is $3,000 and the non-profit organization already has several generous donations.

Did you know each year the Spirit of Springfield:

Raises $450,000 in corporate contributions
Receives close to $800,000 in donated products and services
Entertains more than 400,000
Has support from more than 400 volunteers
Distributes 65,000 free World's Largest Pancake Breakfast to students
Provides more than $11 million in economic impact
Recently increased staff from three to four

Be a part of Springfield's biggest, best and brightest! Make your contribution at Valley Gives.

Calling All Golfers!

The Spirit of Springfield is recruiting 120 golfers to participate in the annual Golf Classic to be held Friday, June 3 at Franconia Golf Course at 10AM. The requirements are easy: Be able to swing a golf club. Beginners or pros are welcome. It is a scramble so it is a team effort.

The cost is only $150 per player, $600 for a foursome, $150 for a tee sign or $700 for a foursome and a tee sign. It includes lunch on the course, dinner under tent, carts, a souvenir shirt and more!

As the tournament winds down, there will be a friendly putting contest between local mayors and other elected officials in attendance. The last two years, Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos has taken home the coveted Mayor's Cup.

Register today!

The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation

which produces high-quality, large-scale events in the city of Springfield.

Our mission is to promote community events and encourage civic pride.

Celebrating 26 Years of Springfield's

Biggest, Best and Brightest

In This Issue

Springfield's Birthday Bash

On the Menu

Pancake Breakfast Video Wall

Valley Giving

Calling All Golfers

Guest Column - Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield

Guest Column

Michael Mathis

President & COO

MGM Springfeld

MGM Springfield is honored to be this year's title sponsor for The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, as we commemorate the 380th year of the founding of this great American city. We have been a proud supporter of this tradition since 2012, and always marvel at how the Spirit of Springfield unites our community through exciting events like this and Bright Nights in a way that few other organizations can. It is the volunteers who commit their time and energy that make this community gathering a huge success. We extend our gratitude to all who participate, and we are thankful for our ongoing partnership with the City of Springfield and local organizations.

Volunteerism and community involvement are among our company's core values. MGM Springfield has a unique role to play in engaging this community and revitalizing downtown. Recently on our construction site, we relocated the historic First Spiritualist church from what will become the casino floor to its new home on Union Street. Demolition and clearing continue, as we make way for this magnificent resort. And, in the coming months, construction will start on the parking garage facility. Thank you to all of the men and women who have a hand in this transformational urban project. We look forward to opening the resort in 2018.

Start giving today!

First 25 to make $100 donation receive
Spirit of Springfield Anniversary Book

2016 Calendar of Events!

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, May 14

8AM to 11AM

Main Street