Freedom Credit Union raises $2.3K for ‘A Bed for Every Child’ program

SPRINGFIELD — Knowing that a good night’s sleep is essential for children’s health, growth and development, Freedom Credit Union again partnered with the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the Cooperative Credit Union Association to support “A Bed for Every Child.” In May, Freedom Credit Union accepted cash donations, raising $2,385.

“We are grateful to our members, staff and the community who step up every year to support this worthwhile cause,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “Our team appreciates the opportunity to serve as a conduit to raise much-needed funds that help ensure sweet dreams for all the children in our region.”

This effort began in 2011 when the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless learned that many public school students were not getting enough sleep because they did not have their own beds. In response, the coalition launched the “A Bed for Every Child” program, which has helped more than 14,250 children to date.

Freedom Credit Union has branches across western Massachusetts, including in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

Bacon Wilson welcomes four new law clerks

The Bacon Wilson law firm, which represents clients throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut from five locations, has accepted Alexandre Pereira, Allison Hanna, Lauren Rainville, and Emily Gorney into the law clerk program for the 2023-2024 school year.

Bacon Wilson created the clerkship program more than 40 years ago to allow law school students to gain experience and mentoring in the legal profession.

■Pereira, a Western New England University School of Law juris doctor candidate for May 2024, joined the law firm in May 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in finance from Western New England University in 2021.

■Hanna, who has been with Bacon Wilson since September 2022, is one of two returning law clerks for a second year. She is a Western New England University School of Law juris doctor candidate for May 2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in legal studies from State University of New York in Canton, New York in 2020 as well as her associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, New York in 2018.

■Rainville is a returning law clerk who joined Bacon Wilson in May 2022. She is a Western New England University School of Law juris doctor candidate for May 2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in business management from Bay Path University in 2016.

■Gorney joined the firm in May 2023 and will be eligible for her juris doctor in May 2024 from Western New England University School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international trade and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

“We are thrilled to have the four exceptional law students continue in Bacon Wilson’s longstanding tradition of law clerk excellence,” managing shareholder Jeffrey I. Fialky said in a statement, “and we are very fortunate to have this region’s best and brightest contribute to our work for the benefit of our clients.”

Bank announces $25K donation for local businesses

GREENFIELD — Continuing a tradition of supporting small local businesses and job creation, Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced a $25,000 donation to the Franklin County Community Development Corporation.

“We are proud to support the Franklin County CDC and their mission to foster economic and community development,” Tony Worden, Greenfield Cooperative Bank president and CEO, said in a statement. “They have been instrumental in providing assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Our donation is a way of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for their work, and our commitment to the local economy and community.”

In the past year, Franklin County CDC has worked with more than 400 businesses, helping them navigate challenging economic times. As an incentive for others to give, donors who give more than $1,000 to the CDC will receive a Massachusetts state income tax credit in the amount of 50% of the donation. For example, a donation of $1,000 will end up costing the donor just $500 after the tax credit.

To donate, visit fccdc.org/support.

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