Fidelity Bank today announced its support of the City of Gardner Centennial Celebration with a donation of $10,000 to support the city’s events to celebrate the history of the Chair City.

In addition to the Summer Centennial Celebration, which was held on July 22, the bank’s donation will support the Centennial Parade in September and the Winter Ball in December.

“The generosity of our friends at Fidelity Bank will help offset the expenses to ensure the city of Gardner offers the community special and memorable events to celebrate our history,” said Mayor Michael Nicholson, City of Gardner. “We hope everyone comes out to celebrate with us in the coming months ahead.”

The parade is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 at 1 p.m., and will feature bands, performances, local organizations and more, while the Winter Ball, which is scheduled for December 30, will serve as a proper sendoff to the city’s 100^th year as they look toward the next 100 years.

“As a corporate citizen serving the Gardner community for more than four decades, we have been honored to help the city’s residents receive the confidence, clarity, and care they need to make financial decisions that help them get where they want to be,” said Ed Manzi, Jr., chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “We are honored to share with the community this important moment in Gardner’s history and look forward to seeing everyone at the various events throughout the year.”

For more information about Gardner’s Centennial Celebration, visit www.gardner-ma.gov.

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About Fidelity Bank:
Founded in 1888, Fidelity Bank is one of the strongest independent community banks in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Celebrating its 20 year anniversary as the brand promise to the community, Fidelity Bank’s unique LifeDesign approach to banking provides the care and clarity needed to make informed decisions with confidence. The Bank offers a range of personal and business banking solutions to clients in 13 full-service banking centers in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton, and Winchendon. The Bank has consistently earned a “5 Star” rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm. Fidelity Bank was the only bank in Central and Western Massachusetts recognized as one of Forbes “America’s Best Banks in Each State 2022,” in addition to being voted Worcester Telegram & Gazette Best Financial Services in Central Massachusetts and placing on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list six times. As of June 30, 2023, the bank had total assets of approximately $1.4 billion. For more information, visit fidelitybankonline.com.

Fidelity Bank announced it has pledged $9,000 to support for the restoration of the historic Crocker Field in the City of Fitchburg. The funding is part of a $3.1 million capital campaign to increase equitable access to the field, promote educational and cultural experiences for children and young adults, and positively impact the economic health of Fitchburg’s downtown area.

First built in 1918 on land donated by Alvah Crocker, the field is on the National Register of Historic Places and has served as the hub for outdoor sports and physical education activities for the Fitchburg School System and many other youth sports organizations over the years. In addition to serving as the battleground between the Leominster High School Blue Devils and Fitchburg High School Red Raiders annual Thanksgiving Day game for more than 120 years, the field is also host to Fitchburg Public Schools’ All School Relays, a venue for the Special Olympics, various public ceremonies and the Fitchburg High School graduation ceremony.

“We are grateful to Fidelity Bank for their commitment to helping us enhance the history of Crocker Field with modern amenities, including a multipurpose artificial turf field, new stadium lights and track, among other improvements,” said Richard Kazanjian, president, Crocker Field Restoration Committee.

“Our employees, families, friends, and neighbors have enjoyed participating in games and events over the years at Crocker Field. As part of our LifeDesign promise to be the most caring bank in the community, this donation provides direct value to both our people and the greater community,” said Ed Manzi, Jr., chairman and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “While this donation will support Crocker Field, we know it will add to the ongoing renewal of the city’s Upper Common neighborhood and downtown areas.”

The project is expected to begin in Spring 2024. For more information about the Crocker Field Restoration project, visit www.crockerfield.org.

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About Fidelity Bank:
Founded in 1888, Fidelity Bank is one of the strongest independent community banks in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Celebrating its 20 year anniversary as the brand promise to the community, Fidelity Bank’s unique LifeDesign approach to banking provides the care and clarity needed to make informed decisions with confidence. The Bank offers a range of personal and business banking solutions to clients in 13 full-service banking centers in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton, and Winchendon. The Bank has consistently earned a “5 Star” rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm. Fidelity Bank was the only bank in Central and Western Massachusetts recognized as one of Forbes “America’s Best Banks in Each State 2022,” in addition to being voted Worcester Telegram & Gazette Best Financial Services in Central Massachusetts and placing on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list six times. As of June 30, 2023, the bank had total assets of approximately $1.4 billion. For more information, visit fidelitybankonline.com.

 

The Office of Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale is pleased to welcome Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area (LVMont) to its new, temporary location on the ground floor of Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main Street.  LVMont, a nonprofit organization established in 1973, trains volunteers to provide free, confidential and individualized tutoring to adults in basic literacy and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).  LVMont’s new site at City Hall includes a staff office and space for tutoring, meetings, and a lending library.  LVMont was previously located at the Fitchburg Public Library and will return there when the library’s extensive renovations are completed.

In making the announcement, Mayor DiNatale praised this partnership between the City of Fitchburg and LVMont, highlighting how it will benefit Fitchburg area residents who need LVMont’s services and encourage volunteerism that is so important to his administration.  “We are thankful to have the opportunity to provide literacy services to the people of Fitchburg and the region.  With improved literacy skills adults will be able to pursue a better life and future for themselves and their families.  Our thanks to the Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area,” said Mayor DiNatale.

Zwanieke Visser, the LVMont Executive Director, said, “We’re delighted to be at City Hall and be able to stay centrally located downtown.  We are grateful for the support of the City of Fitchburg and Mayor DiNatale which has allowed us to make a seamless transition.”

For more information about LVMont visit https://lvmonta.org/  Tel: 978-343-8184

The Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner is delighted to announce the appointment of Brandon Hughey as its new Director of the Gardner Clubhouse.

With an exceptional track record in youth development and a steadfast commitment to the community, Hughey brings a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to lead the organization into a brighter future.

As the Boys and Girls Club of Gardner looks ahead to its next chapter, Hughey was identified as a dynamic individual who embodies the values and mission of the organization and exemplifies an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of young people.

Hughey brings an impressive background in education and youth development, having previously served eight years in Gardner Public Schools. He has a proven ability to cultivate partnerships, engage the community, and drive impactful programming that meets the diverse needs of children and teenagers.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Hughey shared, “It has been an honor working with the students of Gardner as a teacher for the last 8 years. I am grateful to the Boys and Girls Club for this opportunity to evolve the way I serve the youth of Gardner and can’t wait to offer a new and exciting array of programming that will positively shape their future.”

With his strategic vision, Hughey aims to expand the Club’s reach and deepen its impact on the lives of local youth in Gardner. He plans to introduce innovative programming that combines academic support, career exploration, and personal development opportunities, creating a comprehensive framework for success.

Furthermore, Hughey recognizes the critical importance of collaboration and community engagement. He is eager to collaborate with local schools, businesses, and civic organizations to establish a network of support for the young members of the Boys and Girls Club of Gardner.

“I firmly believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can thrive and reach their full potential,” said Elizabeth Coveney, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner. “Brandon personifies our club’s mission and is going to achieve great things at our Gardner Clubhouse.”

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Brandon Hughey as the new Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Gardner. With his exceptional leadership and passion for youth development, we are confident that the organization will reach new heights and continue to positively impact the lives of countless children and teenagers in the Gardner community.

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About the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner:

The Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner is dedicated to empowering young people from all backgrounds to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. By providing a safe and nurturing environment, the Club offers a wide range of programs and activities that inspire academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development. For more information, please visit www.bgcfl.org.

Mount Wachusett Community College has named Ana M. Gaillat, PhD its new Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. Gaillat joins MWCC from Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, Vermont where she served as the Dean of Academic Affairs – Chief Academic Officer with responsibility for college-wide curriculum development and evaluation, course and program assessment of learning outcomes.

“Dr. Gaillat’s experience is exceptional, she brings with her many years of academic leadership experience from both Massachusetts and Vermont,” announced MWCC President Vander Hooven in his communication to faculty and staff. “She has a deep understanding of both inside and outside the classroom as a faculty member, including with union leadership roles, and as a dean and senior academic leader.”

Gaillat has been working in higher education for over forty years, beginning in her native Argentina as a foreign language’s teacher before her immigration to the US in 1990 when she joined UMass Amherst as chemistry research assistant and laboratory supervisor. She has served in leadership positions at Greenfield and Bristol Community Colleges; Suffolk County Community College in Selden, New York; and Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Michigan.

“I strongly believe in the transformative power of education. Coming from a country where education is free and with open access to all citizens, I feel deeply connected to the mission of community colleges. This finest segment of higher education is regularly asked to do more for people with fewer resources than is the case for any other educational bracket,” Gaillat noted. “Community colleges are the beacons of hope for those who are starting or furthering their educational path from a less advantaged position.”

“I would like to thank John Eisler for stepping into the interim role,” Vander Hooven added. “It was no easy task through the COVID pandemic and our successful New England Commission of Higher Education accreditation review.”