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Merrimack Valley Magazine

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NoteWorthy – 10/18/20

October 18, 2020 by Jaden Mendola

AROUND THE VALLEY

Haffner’s and Local Community Members Partner to Donate to Local Hospitals During Covid-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Haffner’s established a donation drive to collect contributions from generous community members at select gas station locations.

The “Let’s Kick COVID” campaign, which ran throughout July and August of this year, brought in nearly $10,000 in donations from Haffner’s customers. Energy North Group, parent company of Haffner’s, matched every contribution the drive received. The campaign culminated in a total of $20,000 being donated to Lawrence and Lowell General Hospitals, with each receiving $10,000.

 

GLCF Awards Latest COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants to Support Remote Learning

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $17,000 to area nonprofits. The grants were part of the ninth round of distributions from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to assist area nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.

“COVID-19 has shown that within Greater Lowell, there are significant gaps among families who have sufficient supports for remote learning, resulting in a scramble to bridge the digital divide for students ill-equipped to transition to remote learning,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “GLCF has directed COVID-19 grants to nonprofits who have stepped up to help remote learners with funding for devices, headsets, staffing and other necessary supplies to support our local learners.”

The five nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support remote learning are, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, Greater Lowell Family YMCA, The Wish Project and YWCA of Lowell.

 

 

Newburyport Brewing Company Awarded Manufacturer of the Year

Newburyport Brewing Company has been recognized by State Sen. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) as part of the Legislature’s 5th Annual Manufacturing Month Awards, honoring manufacturers across the Commonwealth.

Newburyport Brewing Company is a craft brewery dedicated to brewing high-quality craft beer products for local and regional consumers. Co-founded in 2012 as Massachusetts’ first all-can and keg craft brewery by two local Newburyport entrepreneurs, musicians, and home brewers — Chris Webb and Bill Fisher — Newburyport Brewing aims to capture the essence of the city of Newburyport’s seaside character across a line of handcrafted ales.

“Local businesses like Newburyport Brewing Company are the backbone of our economy and essential to job creation and growth,” said DiZoglio, a member of the legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. “I was honored to nominate this great company, an exceptional example of American ingenuity, for this recognition. Now more than ever, they need our support as they work to get through this unprecedented and challenging time. I encourage folks to check out their fantastic space.”

 

Collaboration Between MV Hospice and Parkland Medical Center Provides Solace for COVID Victims

Merrimack Valley Hospice nurse Marley Beohner is dedicated to delivering specialized, compassionate comfort care to patients at the end of their life’s journey.

A lesser known but equally important aspect of Beohner’s work is the care which she extends to patients and their families, soothing anxiety while gaining an understanding of their wishes.

“Especially now in this era of COVID-19, we’re surrogates for family members who can’t be at their loved one’s bedside due to visitation restrictions,” Beohner said. “Providing families with that connection is crucial to our goal of delivering compassionate, personalized care.”

Manchester, N.H., resident Linda Barron, whose parents died from COVID-19 just 59 hours apart from one another, agrees that the collaborative effort between patients, their medical and hospice teams and family members can be transformative.

“I’m still grieving, but I take strength from knowing that the medical professionals who cared for my parents took a vested interest in who they were as people,” she said, noting that caregivers played music her parents loved from the 1950s to “give their hearts joy.”

“Because I couldn’t be there,” she added, “they listened to what I knew would make my parents comfortable. That means the world.”

 

Community Giving Tree is Bundling Up Kids for Winter

During the month of October, Community Giving Tree will be gearing up to provide local children with warm coats and clean clothing, including warm coats, socks, and cozy PJ’s for the winter. Local businesses and organizations will be collecting items during this time, we will be doing virtual drives, and, most importantly, you can help keep the doors open by supporting our Bundle Up Program with a financial donation.

If you are able to help, visit here to make a financial donation. Every $25 gift will help Community Giving Tree provide necessary essentials to bundle up one child and make sure they are ready for winter. Whether they need sweaters, socks, outerwear, or bedding, Community Giving Tree will ensure they receive the items they need to both stay warm this winter, as well as feel valued and cared for.

***

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Touchstone Closing Announces New Partner and Adds New Roles As Market Growth Continues

Local Massachusetts-based real estate law firm Touchstone Closing announces a new partner along with three other additions to the growing team. The firm specializes in real estate closings.

Christine Bernardini, an established attorney and university professor, has joined forces as a new partner. For over 16 years, Bernardini has served the legal real estate needs of clients and Touchstone will benefit from knowledge of finance and economics, and her extensive experience representing mortgage lenders.

Lauren O’Shea has also joined as the marketing and communications director. O’Shea has over 15 years of marketing and public relations experience most recently as a vice president at Regan Communications in Boston.

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Community Giving Tree, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Haffner’s, Merrimack Valley Hospice, Touchstone Closing

NoteWorthy – 3/1/20

March 1, 2020 by Jaden Mendola

AROUND THE VALLEY

Haverhill-Based Home Care Specialists Funds Lobby Renovation At Home Health Foundation In Lawrence

Home Health Foundation, a member of the Wellforce Health System which includes Home Health VNA and Merrimack Valley Hospice, recently redesigned its lobby with funds donated by Home Care Specialists, a family-owned and operated home medical equipment and supplies provider headquartered in Haverhill.

Located in Lawrence, Home Health Foundation’s renovated lobby features more natural light, private meeting spaces and new furnishings. The nonprofit organization provides essential home health and hospice care in all the places patients call home.

Columbia Gas To Be Held Accountable For 2018 Gas Disaster

Photo credit: Deb Venuti

In a press conference this week, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling revealed that Columbia Gas has agreed to pay a $53 million fine for the explosions and fires that killed a young man and damaged or destroyed several homes and businesses in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on September 13, 2018.

The fine is the largest ever issued for a violation of the National Gas Pipeline Safety Act and will provide a source for funding further safety protections and ensure Columbia Gas does not profit from the sale of its operations in the commonwealth.

Lelling said that the 2018 tragedy was a result of a “complete organizational failure” by Columbia Gas, noting that the company cut corners in their safety and hiring practices to save costs.

Despite the heavy fines, Columbia Gas will still continue as a company, although they will cease operations in Massachusetts and will serve a three-year probational period.

No individual was criminally prosecuted, and when asked if this should still be considered justice, Lelling stated “I think this is justice. We always prioritize prosecuting an individual, but we were unable to do that here. There was simply no one individual here who rose to the level of a federal crime.”

A federal monitor will soon be appointed to survey the conditions of Columbia Gas and provide reports on a monthly basis.

Community Giving Tree Celebrates At Salvatore’s In Lawrence

Community Giving Tree hosted their “Share the Love” fundraiser at Salvatore’s restaurant on Feb. 1. With a goal of 100 guests, 140 people came and enjoyed the event while helping local families.  

Comedian Mark Scalia, the emcee of the night, and Kim Goulette, executive director for Community Giving Tree, hosted the event while addressing real needs for the youth in local communities.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Pentucket Bank Announces Gregory Shaw As Chief Operating Officer And Carol Wilson As Chief Experience Officer  

Scott Cote, CEO and chairman of the board of Pentucket Bank, along with the senior management team, announced the recent promotion of two executive management team members, Gregory Shaw and Carol Wilson.

Gregory Shaw has worked for three decades in the banking industry, and has been with Pentucket Bank for 19 years. He now assumes the role of chief operating officer. 

 

 

 

Carol Wilson has been named Pentucket Bank’s first senior vice president/chief experience officer. As CXO, Wilson is responsible for ensuring an exceptional and consistent experience is delivered to customers across the bank’s products, services and channels.

 

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Community Giving Tree, Home Health Foundation, Merrimack Valley Hospice, Pentucket Bank, U.S. Navy, Wellforce Health System

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