In my recent perusing of our The Good Life blog and the numerous articles that it contains, it struck me that it was just like reading the Sunday edition of a major newspaper, covering many interesting subjects, and giving credit to the respective organizations for making them happen. The big difference, however, is that LifePath has been at the center of most of these articles, leading the charge in delivering a multitude of diverse and critically important programs, and helping to positively address the needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, as well as their caregivers, throughout Franklin County, the North Quabbin region, and parts of Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.
Supported by a team of dedicated staff and caring volunteers, along with community partners and generous donors, together we help to provide stability and peace of mind to those in our community. With a primary focus on helping others by first listening to their unique needs and then connecting them to beneficial resources and viable options, we create essential opportunities for people to make informed decisions that positively affect their futures.
We are so thankful to our many Sponsors, Walking Teams, Individual Walkers, Community Partners, and Individual Donors that collectively raised over $42,000 (and counting) in support of our efforts.
As individuals, we always pride ourselves on being independent and resourceful, standing on our own two feet for so many years, and easily solving problems as they arise. Sometimes however, we all reach a point where things are harder to do than they used to be and we need a buddy or teammate to assist along the way. When faced with this new scenario, it can be very overwhelming to admit and accept that having the additional assistance would certainly be beneficial. Sometimes it’s easy to forget or perhaps not be aware that there are organizations, such as LifePath, ready to team up with you in making the heavy load a little lighter.
You see, when you begin to share your concerns with someone else, such as a friend, family member, or maybe someone in our Information and Caregiver Resource Center (ICRC), you immediately start to feel better. Our programs are built with the intention to prevent people from feeling alone and without options. We are a partner along life’s path, helping to guide and support you through the next steps in creating more stability in your life. Because only together can we all create the best possible futures for ourselves and our loved ones.
Throughout our lives we always need that advocate in our corner, routing us on to keep going, while encouraging us and guiding us to look at where we’re at and what the next steps might look like along our way. Each day, simply putting one foot in front of another pays huge dividends in return and is a renewed commitment to ourselves to just keep moving forward together.
Our Meals on Wheels program is a great example of teamwork where Monday through Friday, our delivery drivers provide that personal connection to over 500 people each day, reassuring those we serve that they are not alone. This exchange provides a wonderful opportunity to touch base, and a valuable chance to catch up on daily life and better understand what’s going on in their world. It’s all about stepping up and taking care of one another.
I’m sure we have all been through experiences where we wish we had someone to reassure us that things were going to be okay. That’s what LifePath does through its many programs. This support is only made possible through the continued generosity of our individual donors, businesses, and community partners that all rally together to help us in our efforts.
This collective partnership was clearly on display at our most recent Walkathon event on October 19. This is LifePath’s annual fundraising event, helping to generate support for our Meals on Wheels program and other LifePath programs. We are so thankful to our many Sponsors, Walking Teams, Individual Walkers, Community Partners, and Individual Donors that collectively raised over $42,000 (and counting) in support of our efforts. Thank you so much!
Special thanks to Greenfield Savings Bank as our main event sponsor, to the Franklin County Fairgrounds for the use of the infield space, to the Franklin County Y for the use of the additional tables, to our energetic staff and wonderful volunteers for doing such a great job in pulling the event together, and to our tireless advocates in the State Legislature, Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Natalie Blais, for joining us that morning.
We would also like to recognize our many additional sponsors: Greenfield Cooperative Bank; Athol-Orange Rotary Club; Virtus Investment Partners; ProsperiTea Planning; Renaissance Builders; Montague Lodge of Elks #2521; Northfield Mount Hermon School; Able Home Accessibility, Inc.; Franklin First Federal Credit Union; Freedom Credit Union; Pete’s Tire Barns, Inc.; The Arbors of Greenfield; Athol Credit Union; Franklin County’s Y; Franklin County Sheriff’s Office TRIAD Program; Liberty Tax Service; McGovern Chevrolet of Greenfield; Orange Post No. 172 American Legion; Northfield Neighbors at Home; and Witty’s Funeral Home.
In addition, a huge shout-out to the Northfield Mount Hermon School’s Penguin Pals Club, and to our many in-kind donors and community partners in attendance that day, including Adams Donuts; Carsons Cans, LLC; Clarkdale Fruit Farms; Community Action Pioneer Valley; Community Legal Aid; Food City; Foster’s Supermarket; The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce; Franklin County’s Y; Franklin Regional Transit Authority; Greenfield Business Association; Greenfield Police Department; RSVP of the Pioneer Valley; Stop & Shop Supermarket, LLC; and Western Mass Media Group.
As we approach Giving Tuesday on December 3, it’s your perfect opportunity to join a growing team of donors looking to make a difference. You can make your gift online. You can also send your contribution in the mail to LifePath at 101 Munson Street, Suite 201, Greenfield, MA 01301.
By making a gift in support of older adults, individuals with disabilities, as well as their caregivers throughout the greater Franklin County and North Quabbin region, you are helping LifePath to make a positive and long-standing difference in our communities. Together, through teamwork and partnerships, anything is possible!
