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Small business owner organizes celebration to benefit East Longmeadow Recreation Department

Date: 4/13/2023

EAST LONGMEADOW — After more than 15 years in business, Marco Basile wants to give back to East Longmeadow. On April 29, he plans to do just that with a celebration and fundraiser for the Recreation Department at The Depot at Graham Central Station.

Basile began his first business, the party rental equipment and service company Rent-A-Tent, at the age of 13. A few years later, in 2009, he opened a landscaping company, Dreamscape Designs. “I was born and raised in East Longmeadow. I’ve had nothing but support, being a young entrepreneur,” Basile said, adding that he wanted to do something to give back to the community. He decided to plan a celebration and donate the proceeds to the Recreation Department.

“Sports are really good for kids,” said Basile who had served as the head wrestling coach at the high school until last year. The event is a way to “get kids outside and away from their screens,” he said.
The event will have a block party feel with live entertainment, a face painter, a balloon artist, a DJ, food, popcorn and a bounce house. The Depot at Graham Central Station’s train rides will also be available. Because Basile wanted to tie the event to Earth Day, which takes place one week prior, Arbor Tech, a Springfield-based tree services company, will give out saplings to children, who will also have the opportunity to plant sunflower seeds.

“Hopefully, it can be an annual [event],” Basile said.

This is not the first time Basile used his position as a business owner to help the community. In the past, Dreamscape Designs has run a fall cleanup fundraiser in which all the proceeds went to the East Longmeadow High School wrestling team.

The event will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. at The Depot at Graham Central Station, 64 Maple St.
Learn more about Rent-A-Tent visit rentatentmass.com. Visit dreamscapedesignsmass.com for more information about Dreamscape Designs. Both businesses can be reached at 413-306-1543.