Four individuals were nominated for the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award and were feted Wednesday night at the Westfield Senior Center. Left to right: Brigid Roffe, volunteer coordinator at Western Massachusetts Hospital, represented nominee Tom Hanson, Westfield Police Lt. Eric Hall, Catherine Tansey, and Vanessa Diana.
WESTFIELD-Each spring community nonprofit networkers are asked to nominate a volunteer who has gone above and beyond for a program that benefits local residents.
On Wednesday night at the Westfield Senior Center, four individuals were singled out as 2017 Volunteer of the Year nominees by the Community Connection Network, a nonprofit networking group that serves Westfield. The organization works to identify service needs in the community, bring awareness to all about what they do and share information. The group is an offshoot of the nonprofit Volunteer Network, and was established two years ago.
Tina Gorman, director of the Westfield Senior Center, hosted the event and provided a welcoming address. Amber Danahey, Westfield’s community outreach coordinator, moderated the evening affair.
“I am proud of our city and its volunteers,” said Mayor Brian Sullivan in a statement, who has the responsibility of choosing the winners.
Nominees Tom Hanson and Catherine Tansey were chosen as winners by Sullivan. Vanessa Diana and Eric Hall were also nominated.
“There is so much that volunteers do for our city, and it is evident by this year’s nominees,” said Sullivan.
Hanson was nominated by Brigid Roffe at Western Massachusetts Hospital for the ways he helps patients regain independence through the use of adaptive equipment and technology.
“Tom is the son of a patient at Western Massachusetts Hospital,” wrote Roffe in her nomination. “During visits with his father, he met other patients and realized he had the ability to help. Tom now works closely with WMH’s Recreation Department, and generously devotes his own time and resources.”
Roffe added that because of Hanson’s generosity, many of the patients use Amazon Echo devices to turn room lights on and off, activate a room fan, operate their television (including changing channels), and create a shopping list that families can access from their smartphone.
“The adaptive equipment Tom provides helps patients control their environment and regain independence,” said Roffe.
Tansey was nominated by Ann Lentini at Domus Incorporated for the development and oversight of Our House. Our House provides housing for homeless young adults in Westfield.
“It all started when she was a guidance department counselor at Westfield High School,” said Lentini in her nomination of Tansey. “She saw what was needed. For several years we searched for the right location for a place the young adults could live and pull their lives together.”
Lentini said after the old Red Cross building was purchased, Tansey and Lentini went to work designing the program. Our House opened its doors to young adults in October 2016.
“Cathy also engaged a social worker student from Westfield State University to assist the young adults,” said Lentini. “Cathy interviews each applicant. Everything she has done with Our House has been as a volunteer and she is exceptionally valuable. She also cooks with a group on Wednesday nights.”
Diana was nominated by Hillary McEwan at Stanley Park for being a “passionate volunteer” at the park for many years.
“Her enthusiasm for running and love for the Frank Stanley Beverage Wildlife Sanctuary led her to brainstorm the idea of having a fundraising run here at the park, which resulted in the Run Stanley 5K,” said McEwan in her nomination. “Vanessa has been the race director for six years, tirelessly assisting the planning of each annual event as the chair of the Run Stanley 5K Committee, while rallying volunteers from Westfield State University to help work the event on race day.”
McEwan added that Diana’s energy on race day is always “contagious,” and makes the event that much “brighter and fun.”
Danielle Petrangelo of the YWCA of Western MA nominated Hall for the support he has shown to the YWCA’s domestic violence program through the Westfield Police Department.
“We are particularly grateful to Eric for the support he has shown to our organization, giving our executive director Liz Dineen a tour of the city, and offering us space in the downtown community police office to run our counseling program after our Westfield location closed,” wrote Petrangelo. “I introduced Eric to the nonprofit network here in Westfield and as a result, he or a member of his team attends our monthly meeting.”
Sullivan continues to encourage city residents to get involved and volunteer in the community.
“As I have said before, things don’t get done without help – and volunteers are critical for many organizations and their success,” said Sullivan.
