Big Y is committed to making a difference in the communities we live and work in. Through educational programs such as Big Y Scholarship Programs and Education Express, and community programs like food drives. Food for All and fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness, Big Y works to give something back to the towns we call home. Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they currently operate 61 locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 10,000 employees. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two
roads converge to form a “Y.”

HNE’s mission is to improve the overall quality of life and health status of the communities we serve. It is important to us that every person in our community has the opportunity to lead a healthy, fulfilled life, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, background or socio-economic status. We know that together we can do more for the youth, teens, families and seniors throughout our region. We realize with the right time, action and resources, our shared vision of a healthier, more productive region can become reality. Together, HNE and the YMCA, are working to meet the ongoing needs of our communities and making this a better, healthier place to live, work and play.

Based in western Massachusetts, Baystate Health is a not-for-profit, health care organization serving over 750,000 people throughout western New England. Services include an academic medical center, community hospitals, medical practices, home-care and hospice, and much more. With a workforce of 10,000 employees, Baystate Health is the largest private employer in the region. In 2012, Truven Health Analytics named Baystate Health one of the top 15 health systems in the United States. Learn more at baystatehealth.org

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policy owners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, as well as community involvement. Through its community responsibility initiatives, MassMutual provides more $7 million in charitable contributions annually to a variety of organizations across the country, focusing on education, community vitality and economic development.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is home to over three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history. The landmark structure is one of the world’s most distinctive monuments punctuating the Springfield, Massachusetts skyline and stirring the spirits of basketball fans everywhere. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, and shooting contests.  And of course there is enough basketball history to impress the world’s most avid sports fans!

First Niagara Foundation is a not for profit corporation founded in 1998. The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations in the communities in which we live and work with specific focus on youth and education, community development and neighborhood revitalization. In 2012 the Foundation contributed more than $10 million in charitable grants to community partners. For more information, visit www.firstniagara.com/community

The mission of the Springfield Public Schools is to provide the highest quality of education so that all of our students are empowered to realize their full potential and lead fulfilling lives as lifelong learners, responsible citizens and leaders in the 21st Century.

Six Flags Friends is a series of programs throughout the Six Flags family of parks that make a difference in communities by encouraging local involvement, supporting the mission of various non-profit organizations and bringing the thrill of Six Flags to children and families across North America. Six Flags New England is particularly proud to support the YMCA of Greater Springfield and over 3,000 organizations throughout the New England region.

At Smith & Wesson, we believe that as a responsible corporate citizen, our company should be involved in the communities in which its employees live and work, through charitable giving initiatives, employee volunteerism and matching programs.  We have consistently demonstrated our understanding that community involvement and philanthropic giving adds value to communities and fosters a sense of pride and corporate responsibility that benefits our shareholders and employees.  This philosophy is born from the same spirit of leadership and innovation that makes Smith & Wesson one of the world’s most recognizable brands. The Smith & Wesson Foundation encourages and rewards the highest standards of service, fosters innovation and empowers individuals.  In our home state of Massachusetts and across the nation, we support
charitable organizations that share our commitment to the brave men and women who serve and protect our country, to those who educate, protect and inspire our nation’s youth and to those who invest in and seek to better the community in which they live and work.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS