Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 5/4/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — The late Jay Caron was well known in the East Longmeadow area as a business owner and member of the community. A foundation through the Hampden County Sherrif’s Department continues supporting the community in his name. On May 19, at 6 p.m., there will be a Casino Night to raise funds for the Jay Caron Community Impact Foundation.
Caron was brought up in Longmeadow and moved to East Longmeadow when he married. “[Caron] was always a philanthropist,” said Lisa Zippin, chair of the Casino Night Committee. “He’s the reason” a lacrosse program was begun in East Longmeadow, she said.
Since Caron’s 2020 death at 60 from COVID-19 complications, Zippin said, the Sherrif’s Department has helped Hampden County through the foundation.
According to the foundation’s website, the organization supports “initiatives that promote safer communities, prevent crime, and foster economic, civic, and educational growth, as well as the overall well-being of Hampden County neighborhoods and residents.” These initiatives include an Annual Community Clean-up Day, summer youth sports programming and a Senior Health and Wellness Fair in the fall.
Zippin said the foundation “really focuses on needy families, with holiday gifts, procurement of food, most recently Easter baskets, and several new upcoming scholarships for East Longmeadow and Springfield families.”
The Casino Night is the foundation’s next fundraiser. Hosted at the Springfield Lodge of Elks 61, 440 Tiffany St., Springfield, the fundraiser will include a buffet dinner, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Attendees will receive $1,000 in playing chips and the top three winners will be awarded prizes. Tickets are $100 and about 300 have been sold so far.
The Casino Night is nearly sold out, Zippin said. but added that she wanted to let Caron’s friends know about the Casion Night. “There are a lot of people in East Longmeadow who knew Jay,” she said.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact jaycaroncif@gmail.com. Donations can be made at jaycaronfoundation.com.