VIABILITY Sponsors Exceptional BusinessWest Difference Makers Award Ceremony

More than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke on March 30 for a celebration of the 2017 Difference Makers, the ninth annual class of individuals and organizations honored by BusinessWest for making an impact in their Western Mass. communities. The photos on the next few pages capture the essence of the event, which featured musical entertainment by the Taylor Street Jazz Band, fine food, and thoughtful comments from the honorees. This year’s class, chosen by the editor and publishers of BusinessWest from dozens of nominations, include the: the Community Colleges of Western Massachusetts; Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College; Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round; Denis Gagnon Sr., President & CEO of Excel Dryer Inc.; Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts; and Joan Kagan, President & CEO of Square One.

BusinessWest presented an outstanding event Thursday, March 28, and we at VIABILITY were thrilled to be a part of it!

The Western Massachusetts business news publication hosted their annual Difference Makers award ceremony to an audience of more than 100 people at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The event honored six individuals, businesses, or charities that strive to improve the lives of others. In addition to a cocktail hour and three-course meal, the impact was in the details, including the décor. To highlight the butterfly effect theme, faux butterflies decorated table centerpieces, clip art enhanced the program, ads, and butterfly shadows adorned walls. The theme brings attention to the idea that small events can have large, widespread consequences.

The ongoing efforts of the six chosen Difference Makers impacts, and ultimately benefits, the community at large. “We applaud the contributions our 2019 honored Difference Makers are doing to improve the quality of life in this region. It takes individuals and organizations like our Difference Makers, both past and present, to have the passion and positive attitude to work hard every day to make a real difference in our communities,” said Tim Chrystal, director of New and Existing Business Sales at Health New England, a corporate sponsor of the event.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse agreed.

“We are special and fortunate to have so many dedicated citizens, residents, business folks, and philanthropists in Western (Massachusetts). Western Mass. is like unlike any other place, not just across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but really across the rest of the country,” said Mayor Morse. “What I have found as mayor is people deeply care … Each and every one of you have really come together to make a difference in our community. On behalf of all of us in the city of Holyoke, Congratulations and thank you for the work that you do.”

“We are special and fortunate to have so many dedicated citizens, residents, business folks, and philanthropists in Western (Massachusetts). Western Mass. is like unlike any other place, not just across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but really across the rest of the country.”

– Alex Morse, Mayor of Holyoke, MA

Congratulations to the 2019 Difference Makers!

Carla Consenzi, Co-President of TommyCar Auto Group

Peter Gagliardi, President and CEO of Way Finders

Frederick and Marjorie Hurst, Publisher and Editor of African-American Point of View

Joe Peters, Vice Chairman and Former President of Universal Plastics

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

The Springfield Museums

Source: Viability