Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/28/2020
EASTHAMPTON – Many businesses and organizations are searching for ways to stay afloat during these trying times. Two local nonprofit organizations have found their way to continue serving members of the community, while the community serves them. They call it “Party with a Purpose.”
Party with a Purpose was created to raise funds for The Emily Williston Memorial Library of Easthampton and The Therapeutic Equestrian Center of Holyoke. This is the second year this event will take place, but due to COVID, is strictly an online party auction.
Jenna Barron, a board member at the library is leading volunteer efforts this year. She explained, “Most libraries are town run but ours is non-private. This event is a huge part of keeping our library open for the Easthampton community.”
Emily Williston Memorial Library has served the people of Easthampton since 1887. They first got involved with this event three years ago. Nora Blake, library director, stated, “The organization we partnered with to do our first auction gala event was the Easthampton Learning Foundation. In 2019, we partnered with the Therapeutic Equestrian Center and are partnering with them again this year.”
The Therapeutic Equestrian Center has been around since 1985. According to Gerry Page, Executive Director, “The Equestrian Center is a well established program. We offer horseback riding to people of all ages with physical, emotional, social and different types of challenges in life. We also work with veterans.”
This year more than ever, these two organizations have been affected. The library hasn’t allowed people in the building since March and only offers curbside pickup. “The building is very old and has no circulation or air flow. We are trying to get quotes on ventilation systems so that people will be able to come in,” Blake stated.
Similarly, The Equestrian Center also shut their doors in March. Page claimed, “Our main goal is to reopen. We have a committee working on different ways and stages for that to happen.”
Last year, Party with a Purpose took place at Mill 180. “There was a live band and auction which was super exciting. There was fabulous energy and now we have to transfer that online,” said Barron.
The party kicks off Nov. 7, and goes until Nov. 18. It’s an ebay-style auction, meaning people can auto bid up to that. Some of the items being auctioned off include a farm share to Mountain View Farms, gift cards to local businesses, felt bird houses, camping tents and books signed by authors.
Sponsors for this year’s event are ESB Bank, Florence Bank and Helping Hand Society. “ESB and Florence Bank have locations in Easthampton. They are great supporters in our community. They were both sponsors last year and when we asked them to renew, they were kind enough to do so,” Barron said.
With the auction being online, it allows for a wide variety of participants. Goals have been set based on realistic achievements. Barron told Reminder Publishing, “We are hoping to hit $3,000 in auction revenue. This is reachable, while still making a difference for the library and Equestrian Center.”
Ads are run through local papers and news organizations. There’s an online presence through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Donations can be made directly at ewmlibrary.org and tecriders.org. Additional information can be found at partywithapurpose.eventgroovefundraising.com.