Florence Bank Supports Revitalize CDC’s 2025 #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild Event

Florence Bank will support Revitalize CDC’s 2025 #GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild event with a $10,000 Block Sponsorship and a record number of bank volunteers who will lend a hand on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For several years, the bank and its employees have supported the organization and its mission to improve homes, neighborhoods and lives through preservation, education and community involvement. Joe Kulig, vice president / commercial loan officer and a Revitalize CDC board member for over 25 years, and Nikki Gleason, vice president / manager of the West Springfield branch, are house captains for the bank’s project, inspiring other bank employees to take part.

During #GreenNFit this year, roughly 800-1,000 community volunteers will make critical repairs and modifications to the homes of roughly 15-20 low-income families with children, elderly, military veterans or people with special needs in the Calhoun Park area of Springfield’s North End. Fifteen Florence Bank employees will take part.

Work will include yard clean-up, exterior painting and fixing decks and stairs. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, city councilors and state legislators are expected to also be involved.

“This year will be one of the largest turnouts from the bank perspective,” Joe says. “It’s gotten a lot of attention internally in past years when volunteers come back to the bank and tell people about it. It drives interest, and that’s why our numbers are growing.”

Nikki, a house captain for the event since 2016, says, “We’re all happy to be part of something that improves the neighborhood. It’s an infectious good feeling with a positive effect on the whole neighborhood, and it helps raise awareness about the organization.”

Revitalize CDC was founded in 1992 as an all-volunteer agency that raised roughly $40,000 each year and assisted about five families annually. Today, it serves over 800 families a year with a $5 million annual budget. Revitalize CDC serves Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, with its primary reach in Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield. 

The goal of #GreenNFit is to make homes more energy efficient, safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing. 

“We are very grateful for the support of Florence Bank and appreciate the show of support from its leaders and employees,” says Colleen Shanley-Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC in Springfield. “Florence Bank knows and values the community and the nonprofit organizations that support it. Consistently, they step up as a good neighbor.”

Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity says, “We are pleased to be able to support Revitalize CDC in its efforts to keep people safe in their homes. I’m proud of our employees who get out there and help.”

Joe got Florence Bank involved with the agency when he joined the bank’s staff in September 2018. 

To learn more about Revitalize CDC or get involved with #GreenNFit, visit revitalizecdc.com/.