Toy Drive to Benefit SquareOne

FITNESS FIRST CALLING ALL TOYS!!!!!!!! There is no better way to work your heart muscle than giving to others! Be sure to donate a toy Now – December 17 by our Christmas Tree (near the front desk). Each year our goal is to donate over 200+ toys to Square One! We have a long way to go, and we need your help! Donate. Donate. Donate. Donate. Every child deserves a special toy during the holiday season!

In-Service Training – Suicide Prevention Outreach – Call2Talk`

Call2Talk is a confidential mental health, emotional support and suicide prevention helpline that provides a safe space for people in crisis or emotional distress to talk without judgment. During outreach presentations, staff educate the community on the importance of suicide prevention, how to recognize warning signs, and how to support someone who may be struggling.
Key points covered include:

What Call2Talk is: A 24/7 helpline available to anyone feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or suicidal.
Warning signs of suicide: Changes in behavior, withdrawal, hopelessness, mood swings, and talking about death or being a burden.
How to help: Listen without judgment, express care, ask directly about suicide, and connect the person to help.
The importance of reducing stigma: Encouraging open conversations about mental health saves lives.
Resources shared: How to access Call2Talk (via 2-1-1, direct number, or 988), and other mental health supports.
The presentation encourages participation, highlights the power of listening, and emphasizes that any one of us can save a life—you just have to be there.

Presented by: Eileen Davis, Vice President of Mass211 and Director of Call2Talk

Pioneer Valley Habitat For Humanity – 2025 Gingerbread Build – build at home!

Welcome to the 13th annual Gingerbread Build, a week-long build-at-home event with a public award ceremony! By building small (gingerbread) homes from the comfort of YOUR home, you’re supporting the construction of real homes with low income families in Hampshire & Franklin counties.

There are also two fundraising awards for the team that raises the most money and the team with the greatest number of donors. Generous donors will match all team fundraising dollars 1:1 up to $6,000. Last year, teams and matching dollars totaled over $10,000; you and your team can help grow that number this year!

Other important event details:

– For a donation of $100, register your team by Thursday December 4th.
– Gingerbread kits will be available on distribution day, Saturday December 6th. We will supply the six gingerbread house walls and roof pieces and a bag of frosting mortar, you add any other building materials you wish.
– You must use all six pieces of gingerbread we supply to be entered in the contest. Your team’s collective imagination is the only limit when it comes to decorating your masterpiece.
– Submit 3 photos to gingerbread@pvhabitat.org by midnight Thursday December 11th. Include your team name in the submission photos but no personal information (photos will be posted on Facebook).
– There will be a public zoom award ceremony on Saturday December 13th – RSVP today! Esteemed celebrity judges will host and award prizes in each of the categories listed above

HSF Signature Breakfast: Legislative Panel

Join HSF for one of our Signature Breakfasts. Which means important conversations and networking over comforting breakfast foods and coffee.

This is your chance to talk to the legislatures representing Western Massachusetts IN PERSON. Join us for a panel of State Senators and Representatives over coffee and breakfast. A short Q&A session to take place after panel remarks.

Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, Holyoke MA

$50

Confirmed Legislative Panelists (to date):

Senator Joanne Comerford

Senator John Velis Senior Staff

Representative Natalie Blais

Representative Carlos Gonzalez

Cheryl Spinks, District Legislative Aide from the office of Representative Angelo Puppolo

Representative Lindsay Sabadosa

 

 

HSF Breakfast Sponsors:

HSF Annual Sponsors: