News & Events

August 1, 2022

In December of 2019, we reached out to officials in the City of Chicopee and proposed this beautification project.  We were inspired by an initiative that was undertaken by the Lions Club in East Longmeadow to celebrate the town’s 125^th Anniversary.  To celebrate – they painted fire hydrants.

With April being Autism Awareness Month – a time where Sunshine Village works to promote inclusion for people on the Autism Spectrum – we proposed painting about 35 fire hydrants in the city of Chicopee in April of 2020.  This would help to promote autism awareness and acceptance – as well as celebrating the unique talents of those on with autism spectrum disorders.

The project was approved and we submitted designs and location suggestions.  Then COVID hit in March of 2020 – and we put the project on hold.

We reached out to the City of Chicopee in February of 2022 and proposed starting the project in April of 2022 – when we would paint 6 hydrants in the Chicopee Center – and they again welcomed us to follow thru with this venture.

This project is more than a city beautification project – but also one that truly impacts lives.  In addition to raising awareness of autism, it has allowed individuals on the autism spectrum and others who have developmental disabilities to give back to their community – and instill a sense of pride from showcasing their artistic talents.

We have painted almost a dozen hydrants now – and will continue as long as weather permits us.  And…then we will begin again in 2023!  We have been covered by several television, electronic media and newspapers – and each article or segment has received praise for work well done!

We welcome you to drive around the Chicopee Center and see our creations…and smile!

CELEBRATING 55 YEAR OF SUCCESS – TOGETHER!

June 15, 2022

On June 14, 2022, many of the employees of Sunshine Village came together with the members of the Board of Directors to celebrate the organization’s upcoming 55^th anniversary – at the annual MEMORIES and MILESTONES event that celebrates work anniversaries.  A lavish dinner was hosted at The Castle and the agency’s new video – which is featured on the Home Page of this website – was previewed.  On behalf the Board, Gina announced an Appreciation Bonus that would be given at the end of the month – and everyone was also gifted a branded water bottle to use each day.  It was a GREAT night – where everyone truly SHINED!

 

MORE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

July 26, 2022 

On July 25, 1967, Sunshine Village was officially incorporated – and the dream of a small group of parents of children with disabilities began.  Now, over 55 years later, their dream continues to be realized – as Sunshine Village continues to deliver on its promise of a GREAT day – helping people to live and learn, work and earn and give and grow.

On July 20, 2022, the Three Rivers Program hosted a BLOCK PARTY.  Our clients, employees and neighbors – as well as our guests from the Palmer Senior Center and Palmer Fire Department – enjoyed dancing, games and sweet treats – all while celebrating the agency’s anniversary milestone.

The next day, on July 21, 2022, the Litwin Lane programs in the Casey, Davis and Knights Buildings, came together to host a CARNIVAL.   Clients and employees – along with many of our friends from the Chicopee Police Department – enjoyed playing Laser Tag and Arcade games – as well as joining in handcrafted pastimes.  A Fortune Teller helped people see into their own futures – and hot dogs and carnival treats were enjoyed by all.

The following week, a 55^th Anniversary Luncheon was hosted for the janitors who work in our commercial cleaning business, Westover Maintenance Systems.  Gina led a lively discussion of ideas for future events and initiatives, and everyone enjoyed their bags from Chick-fil-A.

Agawam is busy planning their FIESTA – which will take place in September – and Sunshine Village is now planning for its next 55 years!

Sunshine Village joined with many of our partners to recognize April being Autism Awareness Month and helped to raise acceptance and inclusion throughout our community!

Events were kicked off with “flag raisings” with the City of Chicopee, Town of Agawam and Town of Palmer – and in addition to flags at Sunshine Village’s own sites in Chicopee and Agawam – a fourth flag was raised at the Three Rivers Fire Department.

We kicked off our “Fire Hydrant Project” this month, with six hydrants located near the center of Chicopee being painted by SSV artists.  The creative and eye-catching designs will surely bring a burst of brightness to the city streets!

During the month, we were a proud sponsor of the 31^st Annual Autism Connections Autism Conference and helped to support other local Autism Events, including the Chicopee Police Department’s Autism Outreach Seminar.

Each programmatic site visited with their local responders – and thanked our police officers and fire fighters with handmade gifts.  Westover Maintenance Systems presented our friends at Westover Air Reserve Base with autism inspired gifts.

Our social media accounts were brimming with photos of smiling faces – and togetherness.

Every day, Sunshine Village and all of our employees work to achieve our mission of improving the lives of the people we are so fortunate to serve.  Recognizing “Autism Awareness Month” allows us to do even more – so our message of inclusion and work to increase integration is expanded throughout all the communities in Hampden and Hampshire counties – and beyond!

Truly, we are SHINING BRIGHER TOGETHER!

Plans are underway for the 33^rd Annual Sunshine Village Golf Tournament – which will be held on August 3, 2022 with a shotgun start at 10:00 at the Chicopee Country Club.

Special thanks goes out to our returning TOURNAMENT SPONSORS of the Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, PeoplesBank and Westfield Bank.  With their continued stewardship, we are sure that this event will be as successful as the many that proceeded it.

We are looking for a sunny day filled with great play, fun contests and delicious food for a full roster of golfers!   We will be bringing back the banquet portion this year – with dinner being served on the decks on the Clubhouse right after play is completed.  Prizes for winning teams as well as the contests of Longest Drive, Closest to the Line and Closest to the Pin will be awarded at that time.

The roster fills up quickly and foursomes are accepted on a first paid, first reserved basis.  Sponsorships are accepted right up to that day.  Sponsorships must be received by July 18, 2022 to be included on signage.  Click here for a GOLF BROCHURE.

Several Sunshine Village Artisans have consigned their handmade goods to a local boutique!  This partnership began in mid-August – and each artist has already made at least one sale!

Visit It Makes Scents & Outside the Box Gift Shop at 44 Sewall Street in Ludlow to purchase their hand made jewelry and artwork.

As we continue REBUILDING Sunshine Village, the organization was able to host its 32 Annual Sunshine Village Golf Tournament on August 4, 2021.  It was a GREAT day!

With a full roster of golfers, the event was a financial success – with generous sponsorships from so many local businesses, civic organizations and friends.  Special thanks to our TOURNAMENT SPONSORS:  Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, PeoplesBank and Westfield Bank.

Thank you A.Crane Construction for once again putting up our WELCOME ARCH!

Our players enjoyed beautiful weather – and competitive play.  Thank you COURSE SPONSORS:  Caolo & Bieniek, Charter Oak Financial Services, USI, Inter-all Corporation, Polish National Credit Union and Supreme Roofing.  Mercedes-Benz of Springfield sponsored the Hole in One Contest.

CONGRATULATIONS to our winning teams:  Health New England (Open Division); Don Darcy (Senior Division); PeoplesBank (Mixed Division) and Norcom Mortgage (Women Division).  Longest Drive had two winners – Monica Beck and Jeff Nelson.  Closest to the Pin was won by Jim Morin and Closest to the Line was won by Marc Tannenbaum.

All team pictures can be found by clicking on this link:  www.sunshine.us/golf

Last year, because of the COVID pandemic, Sunshine Village – like so many other organizations – and to the disappointment of many – had to cancel their golf tournament.  This past January, when normal planning would begin, a decision had to be made – with the future still very uncertain.  Not knowing what social distancing and banquet facility capacity would be in August, planning began for a modified event – which would include a full day of golf, some contests, golfer gifts, prizes and lunch.

Ernest Lafllamme, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sunshine Village, is looking forward to welcoming the full roster of golfers to the Chicopee Country Club on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 for a shotgun start at 10:00.

Sunshine Village was indeed fortunate that our TOURNAMENT and CORPORATE sponsors immediately and generously agreed to once again support the organization.

THANK YOU to our TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation

PeoplesBank

Westfield Bank

THANK YOU to our CORPORATE SPONSORS

Caolo and Bienik – Hat Sponsor

Charter Oak Financial – Lunch Sponsor

Inter-all Corporation – Towel Sponsor

Polish National Credit Union – Cart Sponsor

Supreme Roofing – Beer Cart Sponsor

USI – Bag Sponsor

For the past 8 years, Sunshine Village has worked with the City of Chicopee to recognize April being “Autism Awareness Month.”  We “lit” a blue light for the first couple of years– and then for the past few years, we have raised an autism flag outside of City Hall – where it flies throughout the month.  This year, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau hosted another flag raising ceremony – during which time he presented Sunshine Village with a proclamation recognizing April at “World Autism Awareness Month.”   City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, who serves on the Board of Directors at Sunshine Village, accepted the proclamation with Gina Kos, Executive Director.

Renovations are underway at City Hall – and once the Mayor’s Hallway is open – we will be able to “paint” the hallway blue – with pictures created by the talented artists at Sunshine Village.  This artwork is always enjoyed by the employees at City Hall as well as visitors – and is a great way to not only promote acceptance of people with differing abilities – but also to encourage inclusion and acceptance.

Although clients of Sunshine Village were not able to make the annual visit, Rob Montero, Suzanne Wegrzyn and Jenny Galat joined Gina is visiting with both the Mayor and the Treasurer, bringing autism themed gifts to their offices so they could be shared with staff and City Hall guests.   This is a wonderful tradition that the organization hopes to continue – especially next year – when everyone will be able to attend the celebratory activities!

To kick off April being Autism Awareness Month, the town of Agawam raised the Autism Flag and will be displaying paintings created by artists at the Sunshine Village Agawam program at the Agawam Public Library throughout the month. Gina Kos, Executive Director and Agawam Mayor William Sapelli planned the event and were joined by representatives from the library and school systems. Nancy Siegel, Library Director; Pamela Weingart, Children’s Library; Sheila Hoffman, Superintendent of the Agawam School System; Antonio Fazio, Director of Special Services; and Naomi Murdock and Brianna Roy from the Agawam Special Education Department joined Colleen Brosnan, Director of Day Services and Lisa Montero, Program Manager for the morning’s tribute.

Gina said, “Sunshine Village opened our newest site on Silver Street in Agawam only months before the pandemic and we were developing wonderful relationships with the Town of Agawam and many of its municipal departments. With brighter days ahead, we now are looking forward to begin working with them again – to transition young adults into our services, volunteer at the Senior Center and join the library in their wonderful events.”

Health New England has awarded Sunshine Village with a second COVID-19 MINI GRANT. In May of 2020, HNE provided the agency with the funding required to purchase six (6) safeguards that would enhance safety while people were social distancing. These safeguards were very effective – allowing people to sit at the same table (six feet apart) and interact together through the see thru safeguard.
This month, Health New England awarded Sunshine Village with a grant to partially fund a newly created position to increase outreach to the Special Education Departments of local school systems and provide individualized attention within the admission process.
“Sunshine Village is proud to offer our employees a quality, affordable health care benefit through Health New England. Their continued support of our mission and the funds they have provided over many years has truly helped the agency achieve our mission and deliver on our promise of a great day,” said Gina Kos, Executive Director.
THANK YOU HEALTH NEW ENGLAND!