Gift of $7,000 will allow the organization that offers a haven for those living with a cancer diagnosis to reach its $40,000 goal

FLORENCE—Florence Bank recently sponsored Cancer Connection’s 2024 Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction with a $7,000 gift to support the organization that serves as a haven for people with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers.

“We’re on track to reach our $40,000 goal, thanks in large part to Florence Bank and its generous sponsorship,” said Chelsea Kline, executive director at the Cancer Connection. 

The nonprofit offers a broad range of free services. Founded in 2000, it will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. 

“The people we serve tend to be isolated, and they have a lot of emotions and don’t necessarily have a safe outlet for them,” Kline said. “They can come to us when they’re feeling overwhelmed, scared and having all these emotions that go along with a cancer diagnosis and be in community here. This is a place to find strength.”

Cancer Connection programs include therapies such as massage, acupuncture and reiki; support groups for those living with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers; one-on-one emotional support with trained befrienders on staff who hold confidential conversations with caregivers and people with a diagnosis on Zoom or in person.

“We have space for laughter and jokes and processing grief. That’s what’s so special about this community here,” Kline said, noting there are groups for young adults, those living with a breast cancer diagnosis, men only and those for caregivers and families.  

Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said, “We are honored to support an organization that provides comfort to those enduring a cancer diagnosis in our midst. That we can help them gives our bank community a sense of comfort as well.”

The Cancer Connection serves about 350 people per month through weekly programs, special workshops and its integrative services, and roughly 170 individual sessions via email, calls or visits.

The annual Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction was held Oct. 17 in Amherst. The event is one of Cancer Connection’s largest fundraisers. 

Shelley Daughdrill, Florence Bank’s retail banking director / senior vice president of retail administration, and Emily Tower, vice president and main office branch manager, serve on the Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction committees. 

“All money raised from the event funds our services and programs and keeps them free of charge and accessible to all,” Kline said.  

Florence Bank has sponsored the Harvest Dinner for over 10 years, and the Cancer Connection has been a yearly Customers’ Choice grant recipient since 2011.

“The bank has been incredible to us,” said Kline. I love that their Customers’ Choice event celebrates the work of nonprofits and bring individuals together. The bank is very supportive of our work.

“The bank feels like a place that recognizes the community,” she added. “It’s so comforting to bank locally.”

For information on programs, support services and special events, visit cancer-connection.org.

To learn more about Florence Bank, visit FlorenceBank.com.

About Florence Bank

Florence Bank is a mutual savings bank chartered in 1873. Currently, the bank serves the Pioneer Valley through 12 full-service branch locations in Florence, Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Hadley, Belchertown, Granby, Chicopee, West Springfield, and Springfield. Additionally, it offers 25 ATMs and a wide range of financial services, including investment management through FSB Financial Group (FSBFG) to consumers and businesses. Florence Bank is consistently voted best local bank by the readers of the Valley Advocate.

We sponsored Cancer Connection’s Harvest Dinner for $7,000. We’ve sponsored this event for over 10 years, and the organization has also been a yearly CCCG winner since 2011.