See the full GWCC Calendar

Welcome Homeward Vets, Inc.

 

Dave Felty, President & CEO and Lisa Felty, Treasurer, recognized a dire need to assist the many veterans that are transitioning from chronic homelessness in Western MA. Knowing that these veterans do not have many possessions, we began the organization in March of 2012 to help provide home furnishings for their new beginning and give them the security and something to come home to. We have found that this has helped them to remain off of the streets.

Homeward Vets, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps to provide home furnishings to previously homeless veterans who are transitioning into permanent housing. We rely solely on private/commercial contributions and donations of furniture to help us succeed in this mission. We are not funded in any part by the government. All donations are tax-deductible to the furthest extent of the law.

The veterans we serve have been chronically homeless and range from single men/women to families with children. The veterans are able to get vouchers or subsidies through various federally funded programs to live in permanent housing, and being able to find a place to call "home" is a huge accomplishment in its own, but the veterans are only given the keys, and in almost all cases, move into an empty apartment without even the basic necessities.

We take in donations from the community at our warehouse in Ludlow and get those items delivered without any cost to the veteran. Monetary donations can be made on the website at www.homewardvets.org. You can also reach Dave or Lisa at 413.203.1479 or email at info@homewardvets.org.

The GWCC Executive Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month. The next Executive Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 12th at the Boys & Girls Club.

 http://www.westfieldbiz.org/directors-officers.html  

Events Committee

(Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 8:00 am at
Air Compressor Eng.)

The Events Committee will again be Christmas Caroling this year on Wednesday, December 12th at Westfield Care and Rehab. The committee presents gift bags to all the residents and we are looking for small items such as emery boards, chocolate candy, hand soaps, puzzle books etc. Please contact Dave Felty at the email below or call the Chamber office at 568.1618 if you can make a donation.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is looking for an Independent Sales Representative to assist with our membership drive. If you know of a former Chamber member who may be retired and looking to supplement their income, please contact Kate Phelon, Executive Director at 568.1618.

Business & Community Affairs Committee

 The next meeting of the Business & Community Affairs Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30am at Annino, Draper & Moore at 75 Broad Street. If you would like to be a member of this committee, please contact Cal Annino at cannino@admlawfirm.com.

Here is a list of our committees and contact names. We welcome current and new members to get involved. Please feel free to contact the chairpersons below if you would like to participate on a committee.

• Mayor Knapik announced a new 13 week vocational program at Westfield Vocational & Technical High School for the unemployed and under-employed
• There will be a public meeting on Wednesday, December 12th at 6:30 pm at the South Middle School unveiling the plans for Elm Street
• Dickens Day's will run from November 26th to the end of December; check out the Westfield On Weekends website for a complete listing: www.westfieldonweekends.com 
• First phase of the Gaslight District should start end of October, 2012 and will be a 2 year project
• Funds for the second phase of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail have been secured which will bring the trail to East Silver Street
• Pochassic Street bridge: work has begun underneath the bridge on the arch
• Westfield Whip Manufacturing is seeking funding to become a working museum
• Westfield School of Music is open; grand opening celebration will be Monday, December 10th at 3:00 pm
• Road Projects: Arch Road will go out to bid shortly for reconstruction; bottom of Clay Hill is under design; Western Avenue will go under major reconstruction; Rt. 187 will be a 3 phase process; Court Street will see new paving and curbing up to Western Avenue; No interest by MassDOT to reconfigure Turnpike Exit 3 Exchange - city will coordinate lighting to improve traffic flow; State Bridge on 10/202 will be a state project slated for 2015
• In January, will apply for funding for a free-standing, state-of-the art Science & Technology high school building
• Single Stream recycling program will be reviewed
• WBID - new state law now requires membership and removed opt out clause
• HUD; $200,000 has been invested in downtown
• Please contact the Mayor of Jeff Daley regarding their respective television shows which is listed below under "Westfield Info Bites"

The next Mayor's Coffee Hour is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2013 at Zubers Ice Cream & Deli, 98 Southwick Road, Westfield from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.

Please contact Pam Bussell to register for this free event at 568.1618 or info@westfieldbiz.org.

	DANIEL M. KNAPIK MAYOR
City Hall 59 Court Street Westfield MA 01085		Tel: (413) 572-6201 Fax: (413) 572-6274

Ribbon Cuttings  

U30 Cat & Small Dog Wellness Center

Dr. & Mrs. Faircloth and Kate Phelon

69 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA

413.562.1873

Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting BankSM is excited to announce their first annual "Season of Service" holiday giving back campaign. Berkshire Bank employees will carry out a variety of community service related projects throughout cities and towns where Berkshire Bank does business from November 26 - December 21. Berkshire Bank employees are also inviting the public to join with them to support local children & families in need this holiday season.

More than 150 Berkshire Bank employees are expected to participate in the holiday "Season of Service" effort with all of the service projects benefiting non-profit organizations and families across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.  The projects were selected and organized by Regional Employee Volunteer Committees, consisting of employees who help oversee the bank's Employee Volunteer Program in their areas under the guidance of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. 

As part of the effort, all Berkshire Bank branches in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts have teamed up with the Department of Children & Families and local Boy's and Girl's Clubs to collect gifts for local families in need. Donations are being accepted at any Berkshire Bank location in the Pioneer Valley from November 26 - December 14. The public is invited to stop by their local office to see which items are needed from the "Giving Tree". Bank employees will also volunteer their time at the Springfield Rescue Mission throughout the month to complete two service projects.

Lori Gazzillo, assistant vice president of community relations, stated, "We wanted to do something special to give back to our communities this holiday season. Part of what makes us America's Most Exciting Bank is our company's commitment to our community including the work our employees do through our Employee Volunteer Program. Our month long "Season of Service" is an extension of this program and allows us to use our time and talents to have an impact the communities that we serve. We hope our efforts this holiday season will inspire others to give of their time, treasure, and talents to make our communities a better place."

The Boston Globe Names PeoplesBank To Globe Top Places To Work

"High-Performance Culture" built on community service, environmental sustainability, and employee engagement continues to draw recognition.

The bank received the recognition after a comprehensive survey of its employees was performed by an independent research organization selected by the publication. More than 1,500 companies were invited to apply for Top Places to Work recognition and 81,907 employees completed surveys. The focus of the survey included employee opinions about leadership, communication, training and growth development, workplace environment, life-work balance, and compensation.

PeoplesBank attributes its success to a High-Performance Culturethat is focused on community service, environmental sustainability and employee engagement. According to Janice Mazzallo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at PeoplesBank, the bank has created a unique culture and values set that focuses on employee development, life-work balance and community service. "In order for people to feel engaged, they need to feel as if the company cares about them - not only that we expect them to get the work done and serve the customers, but that we care about them individually, that we care about their families, and that we care about the community where they work and live."

Mazzallo notes that PeoplesBank has been implementing a culture shift for several years."Studies have shown that employers who focus on creating a strong culture and a high level of employee engagement also have strong financial performance. It is sort of a win-win." A management development program, in-house learning center, employee-led think tanks, and efforts at creating an optimal life-work balance are just a few of the efforts that PeoplesBank has put into place to enable and support that culture shift.

Promote your company for only $75.00! Each month a Chamber member has the opportunity to submit a write-up on their company and the profile will be under the "Member Spotlight" section for a fee of $75. Please submit images no wider than 440px.

All members are encouraged to submit their upcoming events to be published at no cost! The deadline for submission is the third Thursday, 5:00 pm of every month - no exceptions!

Sponsorships and/or advertising are available to you in our newsletter. Please contact the Chamber office at 568.1618 for more information.

The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Tolland, Southwick, and Westfield.