Empty Arms to hold Syrup Stampede 5K on Sunday
NORTHAMPTON — On Sunday, April 12, Empty Arms Bereavement Support will host its seventh annual Syrup Stampede 5K, presented by Pinnacle Financial Services, LLC.
Taking place at Look Memorial Park, the race is expected to draw over 1,200 participants and has already raised over $120,000 to support Massachusetts families who have experienced stillbirth, miscarriage, termination for medical reasons, and infant loss. This family-friendly event offers a timed 5k, 2k fun run or walk, kids’ activities, and a pancake breakfast with local maple syrup.
Registration and sponsorship information is available at www.syrupstampede.com.
With all underwriting costs covered by sponsorships, every registration is a donation to Empty Arms Bereavement Support, a community based support network which serves bereaved families across Massachusetts. Empty Arms’ programs in western Massachusetts are the only ones in the state that serve families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss both in the hospital and in the community. Across the state, bereaved parents can be supported through any of 15 monthly support groups, one-to-one peer connections, social events, and more.
Empty Arms also provides essential education to nurses, social workers, and other providers who serve families at the time of loss.
Runners, community members, and supporters are encouraged to visit www.syrupstampede.com or www.facebook.com/SyrupStampede for more information.
Rep. Sabadosa to host town hall in Plainfield
PLAINFIELD — State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa will hold a town hall discussion on
Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m., at Plainfield Town Hall.
The event will last until 3:30 p.m. and will feature updates on the legislative session, specific policy updates, and a question-and-answer session. All are welcome to attend.
Nuclear abolition focus of Sunderland talk
SUNDERLAND — Northampton author Timmon Wallis will discuss his latest book, “Nuclear Abolition: A Scenario,” at the Sunderland Public Library on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Wallis is the national coordinator of the Warheads to Windmills Coalition, which campaigns to abolish nuclear weapons and use the resources to address the climate crisis. He has a bachelor of arts in human ecology and a doctorate in peace studies, and he has campaigned and written extensively on the issues of climate change and nuclear disarmament.
In his talk in Sunderland, Wallis hopes to convey to his listeners why abolition is so important and what people can do to help bring it about.
Many politicians, as well as many of their constituents, feel that as awful as nuclear weapons are, they are needed as a deterrent against bad actors in other countries. However, Wallis asserts that “the theory of deterrence is unproven.” In terms of how nuclear abolition can be accomplished, Wallis points to boycotts, divestment, and stigmatization of corporations that are part of the nuclear weapons industry.
Aaron Falbel, head of Adult Services at the Library, invited Wallis to come to Sunderland and present the findings in his book. “At last year’s Annual Town Meeting, Sunderland overwhelmingly passed a ‘Resolution in Favor of a Nuclear Weapons Freeze,’ and it seemed like a logical next step to invite Dr. Wallis to come and discuss these matters further.”
Copies of “Nuclear Abolition” will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the presentation. The talk itself is free and open to the public, and will include a question-and-discussion session.
Tilton Fund launches shoe drive fundraiser
DEERFIELD — The Tilton Fund Inc. is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser April 15-June 15 to raise funds for The Tilton Library Building Expansion Project.
Tilton Fund will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Those dollars will benefit the Tilton Library.
Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at the Tilton Library, Deerfield Elementary School, Frontier Middle & High School, Greenfield Savings Bank (Deerfield branch), and the Sugarloaf Hair Studio in Deerfield. Donations should be dropped off during the open hours of each location, and never left outside.
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise and small business partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families.
When donating shoes, please follow the guidelines for the condition of shoes: no holes, soles and heels intact, no mold or dirt.