News from our members

Mount Wachusett Community College Names Ana M. Gaillat Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

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Dr Ana M Gaillat Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr Ana M Gaillat, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

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.”

Berkshire Bank Welcomes Andrew Plumridge as Executive Vice President, Chief Internal Audit Officer

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Andrew Plumridge of Berkshire BankBerkshire Bank, a leading, socially responsible community bank with financial centers in New England and New York, is proud to announce that Andrew Plumridge, an accomplished internal audit, risk management and compliance professional has joined the Company as Executive Vice President (EVP), Chief Internal Audit Officer of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Berkshire Bank.

“We’re pleased to welcome Mr. Plumridge to the Berkshire team as chief internal audit officer. He’s a seasoned executive leader with extensive financial industry and audit experience. His proven track record helping companies navigate complex regulations and uphold the highest ethical standards will serve our shareholders well and help us to continue to advance along our journey toward becoming a high-performing, leading socially responsible community bank,” stated Nitin Mhatre, CEO.

At Berkshire, Mr. Plumridge will be responsible for leading all aspects of Berkshire’s internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) testing programs. He will provide independent and objective assurance to management and the Audit Committee on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance and internal controls that support the achievement of organizational objectives. In addition, he will promote and facilitate the continuous improvement of controls as part of the third line of defense. Mr. Plumridge will report directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and administratively to CEO Nitin Mhatre.

Mr. Plumridge’s extensive career includes nearly 30 years in auditing and consulting. Most notably he spent eight years with Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc. serving as senior vice president and general auditor. Prior to joining Boston Private, Mr. Plumridge held senior audit and consulting positions with State Street Corporation and PwC. He holds a M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting and finance from Boston University and an A.B. in Economics from Dartmouth College. Mr. Plumridge is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Massachusetts, serves as treasurer for the Dartmouth Educational Association and is a volunteer with South Shore Habitat for Humanity.

ConvenientMD Partners with Local Nonprofits to Promote Health and Wellness

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Boys & Girls Club & ConvenientMD

ConvenientMD presents The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg & Leominster with sponsorship in the gymnasium of the Leominster Branch of the Boys & Girls Club.

ConvenientMD, New England’s leading urgent care provider, has announced partnerships with several local organizations to promote health and wellness in the community, including Leominster Little League, Leominster Central Massachusetts Basketball, Leominster Youth Soccer, and the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. ConvenientMD recently opened its newest urgent care clinic at 20 Commercial Road in Leominster.

“As a healthcare provider, ConvenientMD recognizes the importance of physical activity in maintaining good health. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support programs that encourage kids to stay active and engaged, while also promoting mentorship and leadership development,” says ConvenientMD Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Gareth Dickens. “We are proud to work with these outstanding organizations to help create a healthier, more vibrant community for all.”

ConvenientMD recently presented its sponsorship of The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. The club works in youth development with young people ages 8-18, from many economic, social and family circumstances. The Club has over 300 registered members with many more participating in the variety of programs that the club offers.

“The partnership between ConvenientMD and the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner, exemplifies the collective efforts of both organizations to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and strengthen the fabric of our community,” said David Ginisi, Senior Director of Marketing & Development at the Boys & Girls Club. “By investing in youth development and fostering a passion for sports, ConvenientMD and the Boys and Girls Club are championing the values of resilience, determination, and teamwork, paving the way for a brighter future.”

In addition to the Boys and Girls Club, ConvenientMD is supporting the Leominster Central Mass Youth Basketball, Leominster Little League, and Leominster Youth Soccer, all non-profit organizations focused on establishing safe and fun environments for kids to be active and learn teamwork. Combined, these organizations serve more than 1,500 local children each year.

ConvenientMD Urgent Care clinics treat a broad range of illnesses and injuries – from colds, coughs, and flu, to stitches and broken bones. Additional services include COVID-19 testing, free flu shots, youth sports physicals, IV fluids, EKGs, and employer health services. The modern, comfortable facility also offers on-site labs and X-rays for quick, convenient diagnoses. With the opening of the Leominster clinic, ConvenientMD operates 39 urgent care centers throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

More information about ConvenientMD, visit convenientmd.com.

 

About ConvenientMD

Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, ConvenientMD is a walk-in and virtual healthcare provider dedicated to delivering the best medical care and experience for patients throughout New England. By offering fast, quality care at an affordable rate, ConvenientMD is raising the bar for urgent care and reshaping the delivery of modern healthcare. Each urgent care center provides an advanced array of services—including X-rays, IVs, labs, and minor surgical procedures—as well as staff committed to following an innovative, full-service approach to satisfying patients’ demands for convenient, compassionate treatment in an urgent care setting.

Paper Organizing Workshop in Central Massachusetts

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PAPER FLYER ORG DUCKGain more time this summer!

You will become proactive as you learn the skill of paper organizing and begin to process your paperwork in a timely manner. Grab a box of manilla folders, and gather your unfiled and unprocessed papers scattered throughout the house to join us for some training and some productivity! Once you understand the system, you can maintain the concepts throughout your life.

During this safe and non-judgmental session conducted by a professional organizer you will learn a system to follow and be led through processing as much as a laundry basket full of your paperwork, all while socializing and enjoying some snacks.

Location: Bin There Dump That, 615 South St., Fitchburg, MA 01420

$50 fee includes training, champagne toast, coffee bar, water, and snacks. Price is discounted until 7/15.

Register Now

empHowered PR expands to Worcester

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empHowered PR, a boutique public relations firm specializing in highly-tailored communications services for businesses and non-profit organizations, today announced a second location at the Worcester Idea Lab, located at 20 Franklin Street in Worcester. The business is headquartered in Leominster.

Founded in 2020 by Lauren Howe, an award-winning public relations professional with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profit industries, empHowered PR has grown to provide services to clients around the region, making Worcester an ideal location to expand its footprint.

“While we’ve always called North Central Massachusetts home, I realized we needed a location in Worcester to meet with potential and current clients closer to their locations,” said Howe. “The Worcester Idea Lab is a great place for us to work and meet with clients while also engaging with other entrepreneurs as part of Worcester’s innovation ecosystem.”

The Worcester Idea Lab, a project of the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC), is a collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs and other business-minded professionals to grow their business in a central location right in the downtown district.

“The Idea Lab at 20 Franklin was constructed to give entrepreneurs a professional space to grow their business, make valuable connections, and eventually expand out to Worcester’s downtown,” said Roberta Brien, executive vice president, Worcester Business Development Corporation. “Entrepreneurs are key members of our small business community and WBDC is proud to support them at every stage of their business. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Howe, founder of empHowered PR to our space, as her unique approach to public relations for businesses and non-profits is the perfect fit for the downtown and our other Idea Lab members.”

About empHowered PR
Founded in 2020, empHowered PR is a boutique public relations consultancy firm specializing in highly tailored communications services for businesses and non-profit organizations. Focusing on brand strategy, executive communications and thought leadership with expertise on corporate social responsibility and media training, empHowered PR partners with small businesses to global corporations to develop trusted brands focused on objectives, audiences, channels, delivery and feedback to achieve goals and reach success. To learn more, visit www.empHoweredPR.com.

Fitchburg Public Library announces additional $1.5 million in funding from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for construction, renovation project

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Funding to complement rising construction, labor costs

The Fitchburg Public Library announced it will receive approximately $1.5 million in additional funding from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The additional funding will help offset the rising construction and labor costs currently being experienced throughout the Commonwealth.

“As one of only 10 other libraries receiving this additional funding throughout the Commonwealth, we are grateful to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and our local legislators for seeing the value our renovation and construction project will bring to the community,” said Fitchburg Public Library Director Deb Hinkle. “We appreciate the MBLC’s continued support to ensure our library will remain sustainable for years to come. We are also grateful to State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Michael Kushmerek for working alongside other Massachusetts legislators to advocate for this additional funding.”

The funding, which supplements the $12.5 million total grant award from the MBLC through the Massachusetts Library Construction Program, will support the $40 million renovation, modernization and expansion of the library. Ten libraries in the state were awarded the additional funding as a result of adding 15% to the total eligible cost used to calculate the current grant.

“The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program is pleased to partner with local communities, like Fitchburg, using state funding to make building and renovating libraries possible,” said MBLC Director James Lonergan. “In the 35 years since the program’s inception and the more than 200 communities that have benefited from it, we have not encountered circumstances like those brought on by the pandemic. The additional funding recognizes those circumstances and further supports Fitchburg’s project which will bring economic, social, cultural, and educational opportunities to every resident of the community.”.

The Fitchburg project is expected to begin later this year.

About Fitchburg Public Library
Founded in 1859 and home to one of the first children’s rooms in the country, the Fitchburg Public Library is a centerpiece on Main Street in the city, providing generations the opportunity to experience programming and services that open a world of learning. For more information visit http://www.fitchburgpubliclibrary.org/.

Joshua Allen Design now offering free 30 minute long virtual interior design advice sessions!

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Joshua Allen DesignGrab your notebook and a pencil — this 30 minute long virtual meeting can cover any room, any space, and any interior design questions you may have! (including questions about additions and new builds!)

Have your design questions answered so you can get started! Get expert design advice! Let’s come up with a roadmap to get your project moving forward!

Interview us! Ask questions about our process, discuss specific concerns about your project, hiring a designer, anything! We’re yours for a half hour.

Appointments will be open for a limited time only, contact Joshua Allen Design to sign up!

 

United Way Food Drive Collects Nearly $30,000 in Food for Local Pantries

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Over 600 households to benefit from drive thanks to community collaboration

April Foods Drive

Ginny’s Helping Hand and St. Leo’s de Paul Food Pantry collected donations from the April Foods Drive. From left to right, Joe Tammaro, Betsy Tammaro and Laura Burns from St. Leo’s; Dave Bergeron from Ginny’s Helping Hand; Brandon Robbins, Ginny’s Helping Hand Executive Director; Crystal Nash from Leominster Credit Union; Judy Thomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact and Missy Teken from LCU.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) recently distributed nearly $30,000 worth of food and essentials to local food pantries for their “April Foods Drive.” Running April 1- June 8, the drive provided critical supplies to 12 food pantries throughout North Central Massachusetts and is expected to feed more than 600 households.

The food drive is part of United to Feed North Central Mass, a new initiative run by UWNCM that brings together community partners to fight food insecurity in the region. Using the tagline “Hunger is No Joke,” the April drive collected twice as much worth of food as the initiative’s 2022 holiday food drive.

The drive was a true community effort, as residents donated non-perishable food through boxes hosted at nearly 40 establishments, including banks, grocery stores and libraries. UWNCM also provided family food staples such as peanut butter and oatmeal and worked with Leominster-based non-profit Growing Places to source a variety of fresh produce from local farms, ranging from carrots and potatoes to leafy greens and herbs.

Throughout the drive, volunteers picked up donated food from boxes, and on June 7-8, a dozen local pantries came to UWNCM to load their vans, many of which were completely filled. The drive sought to restock food pantry shelves during a time when many pantries are low on resources as they approach their fiscal year ends.

The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC), a non-profit based in Gardner, was both a participant and recipient in the drive, as they donated leftover Bombas socks from their clothing pantry and also received donated food items.

“This food drive came at a critical time in MVOC’s pantry,” says Stephanie Marchetti, Executive Director of MVOC. “Our regular suppliers have been low on shelf stable items, and since it’s the last month of the fiscal year we did not have the funds to cover this gap. The United Way stepped up, coordinated with lots of great local partners, and we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our veterans and their families will have what they need.”

As part of the drive, Catania Oils, based in Ayer, ran an internal food drive, collecting more than $550 worth of food donated by employees.

“One of the fundamental principles embedded in Catania Oil’s purpose statement is to make a lasting impact on the community. Our employees consistently demonstrate their willingness to support and uplift the community in various ways,” says Annemarie Abdo, Vice President of Human Resources at Catania Oils. “As a result of the tremendous effort put forth, we were able to collect a substantial amount of food, reinforcing our commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need. Moving forward, we are enthusiastic about further collaborations with the United Way, participating in their upcoming community events. By joining forces, we can continue making a positive difference and fostering a stronger, more vibrant community together.”

UWNCM will launch their next food drive in fall 2023 to provide food for the holiday season. Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM Director of Community Impact, says, “We are grateful to everyone who helped make our April Foods Drive such a success, including local companies, volunteers and generous donors, and we look forward to continuing to unite community members to feed those in need.”

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

Leominster Credit Union Donates Books to Local Organizations

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Leominster Credit Union has proudly participated in Children’s Book Month for over 20 years, an annual event sponsored by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.

During the month of April, donations of new and gently used children’s books were accepted at all LCU locations. LCU employees participated in Jeans Days raising funds to purchase books. This year’s event was organized by Rachel Terrell, Executive Assistant, assisted by Linda Taratuta, Elizabeth Bushnell, Mary Marchant, Nicole Florio and Amy Lacouture. LCU members and employees generously donated over 990 books.

Books were distributed to various organizations including; MOC (Child Care and Head Start Center), Sunrise Assisted Living, Fitchburg Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg/ Leominster, Johnny Appleseed School, Clinton Preschool, Elementary and District Resource Center, Wachusett Regional High School Preschool and the Francis Drake School.

About Leominster Credit Union (LCU)

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $850 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24-hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.

MWCC Awarded Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant for Fiscal Year 2024

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Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has appropriated $515,055 for Fiscal Year 2024 to continue funding the Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant program.

The Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant aims to help interested students and early childhood educators advance their careers. The mission of the grant program is to help alleviate the early childhood educator shortage and increase the education levels of educators already in the field. Students receive free courses, books, and the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification visit and exam required to earn the CDA credential. English-language tutoring support and one-on-one advising is also provided. The program goal is to service 120 students in Fiscal Year 2024.

“We are thrilled to receive continued funding for this vital program,” stated Grant Coordinator Jonie Latimer-Brady. “We not only have been able to help students earn their CDA credential, but many have continued on to earn their Early Childhood Education certificate.”

Funds will also be used to increase the number of Spanish-speaking instructors and advisors for the new Spanish language college level ECE Certificate program. Students will earn their EEC Lead teacher certification by starting with courses that are taught in Spanish and will take a contextualized college level ESOL course concurrently.

To learn more about the ECE Career Pathways program and determine eligibility, visit https://mwcc.edu/early-childhood-education-career-pathways/