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Date: 11/17/2020
EASTHAMPTON – The Easthampton Community Center (ECC) and its executive director, Robin Bialecki, recently received the The Kay Sheehan Spirit of the Community Award from The United Way of Hampshire County.
This award is named after Kathleen Sheehan who was a teacher, guidance counselor and principle in the Northampton School system for 35 years. In 2012, she passed away, leaving a legacy of volunteer work in the community behind.
Every year, United Way presents the award to an individual or group that has shown outstanding service and leadership in their community. Bialecki and the ECC were chosen based on all of their efforts and response to the pandemic. They have been responsible for providing both food and clothes to those in need.
John Bidwell, executive director of United Way said, “Robin is the engine behind the ECC and their remarkable response since the COVID-19 crisis started in March. In that time they have seen almost 800 new families asking for assistance. A couple of weeks ago the ECC received 22,000 pounds of food from the Food Bank of Western Mass., it was gone within 12 hours.”
The award was presented to Bialecki and the ECC in October through a virtual celebration on Zoom. Bialecki received a medallion, on top of the honor given from United Way.
“We’ve been doing what we always do and have been adapting to what the community needs. This award was delightful and unexpected. It was just another acknowledgement to me and volunteers that we’re doing a great job,” said Bialecki.
Bidwell added, “We’ve all been hit by COVID-19 and the economic downturn, but ECC sees those hit the hardest and no matter who comes through their doors, they are there to help.”