Bay Path University Gives Back
Bay Path kicked off its Charitable Fund drive with a “Bucket Auction” hosted by Cheryl Wagner, finance dept, and Keith Sbriscia, human resources. This event has been held annually for over 10 years. PC: Rachel Carkhuff '18
Keith Sbriscia, Assoc. Dir. of HR: “The United Way and CHC provide essential funding to local charities and have a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of individuals. Bay Path is proud to support their work.” PC: Rachel Carkhuff '18
Bay Path Education Club hosted a toy drive for Bay State Hospital's Pediatric department, resulting in a donation of five large bags of new toys and supplies for children who are admitted to the hospital.
Patricia Arocho from Gerena Community School receives the "Giving Tree" presents from Bay Path students Emily Rogers and Isabella Whitehead, co-leaders of the Education Club.
This fall, the University community raised over $20,000 for United Way of Pioneer Valley and Community Health Charities, and named New North Citizens Council as the 2017 Holiday Charity
In the spirit of the season, the students, staff, and faculty of Bay Path University have been hard at work giving back to the community.
The University kicked off its charitable activities this fall with its 2017 Charitable Fund drive in support of the United Way of Pioneer Valley and Community Health Charities. The University’s partnership with these organizations dates back at least 14 years, and in that time, a total of nearly $200,000 was donated by Bay Path faculty and staff. For 2017, the most substantial sum to date was raised: $20,634.
Both Community Health Charities and the United Way are umbrella organizations that represent other nonprofits through partnerships and raise funds on their behalf through workplace giving campaigns and engagement opportunities. Partner charities also have the opportunity to receive funding through grants.
Community Health Charities raises awareness and resources for health and wellness by connecting more than 2,000 of the most trusted health charities across the United States, reaching 17 million donors every year, through workplace giving campaigns, causes, wellness programs, employee engagement and strategic partnerships.
United Way of Pioneer Valley creates opportunities and improves lives in 25 cities and towns through the United Way Community Fund, and mobilizes people and resources to strengthen our community by tackling complex issues and driving sustainable change.
The Bay Path students are equally committed to supporting the community and have coordinated many student-driven efforts this fall including, but not limited to, book, diaper, toy, and food drives and several other donations to meet the needs of local organizations. The annual book drive, that benefits a different charity each year, generated close to 1,000 book donations for The Homework House. The University’s annual “Giving Tree” hosted by the Education Club to make the holiday season merrier for children from the greater Springfield area just wrapped up collecting gifts for families in need this holiday season. The canned food drive to assist in restocking local food pantries that run out of goods during the holiday season, hosted by the University’s Student Government Alliance, is also underway.
Further, Bay Path University has selected New North Citizens Council of Springfield as its holiday charity. As more and more families are leaving Puerto Rico to find shelter with family and friends in the continental United States, many cities in New England are welcoming these families. New North Citizens Council (NNCC) has been designated by Western Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico as a welcome center for Puerto Rican evacuees in Springfield.
Bay Path employees will present their donations to New North Citizens Council at the University’s annual Holiday Luncheon later this month. The University has also launched a scholarship program for victims of Hurricane Maria. Details are available here
Click through the photos above to get a glimpse of some of the activities mentioned in this story. Read more on BusinessWest.
Students and faculty involved in our academic communications program helped to shape this story.