| HOLYOKE The Second Annual Best Buddies Day of Friendship and Fun will be held on March 4 at Gamble Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College and will feature free performances by The Berkshire Hills Music Academy. The Berkshire Hills Music Academy is the only private post-secondary residential school in the country for young adults with learning, cognitive or developmental disabilities and a special talent for music. The Rainbow Players, a drama and improvisation group made up of individuals with developmental disabilities will be performing as well. The Day of Friendship and Fun is an annual gathering of program participants and supporters from throughout Western Massachusetts. The free event is from 3 p.m. 5 p.m. and is open to the public. This year's Day of Friendship and Fun is sponsored by Florence Savings Bank. Best Buddies of Western Massachusetts provides one-on-one friendships to individuals with intellectual difficulties through high school and community based programs. Active high school programs supported by faculty staff members are in place at the following schools: Amherst Regional, Northampton, Minnechaug Regional, Central in Springfield, Westfield, West Springfield, Athol Regional, Pittsfield, Monument Mountain and Quabbin Regional. Local Best Buddies college programs include: American International, Springfield, Mount Holyoke, Smith, UMASS Amherst and Williams. Best Buddies also provides one-on-one friendships to adults with intellectual disabilities in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. In total, Best Buddies of Western Massachusetts supports over 600 individuals annually. |
