May News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Despite the crisis we thought it was important to try to continue with some type of normalcy.

We have all been watching the calendar and listening for updates. We are anxious to reopen, reconnect, and reactivate. We want to announce new dates for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast and Star Spangled Springfield, but that will have to wait a little longer. Safety before celebration.

Please know that Amy, Nicole, Marielle and I are working smart and staying safe. We have lots of great ideas for healthful ways to come together in celebration.

To our nurses, thank you and Happy National Nurses Month! ❤️

Stay safe!

- Judy Matt

President

Star Spangled Springfield Postponed

After careful consideration, the Spirit of Springfield, with the City of Springfield, has determined it is in the best interest of the community to postpone Star Spangled Springfield due to COVID-19. The event, sponsored by MassMutual, is being delayed from Saturday, July 4, 2020, to a date that has yet to be determined.

"MassMutual has been a proud sponsor of Springfield's Independence Day Celebration since 2006. We will continue to support the Spirit of Springfield and the event when our community is healthy and it is safe for us to gather," said Dennis Duquette, Head of Community Responsibility and President of the MassMutual Foundation. "Springfield deserves to celebrate our nation's independence and its strength."

The Spirit of Springfield is looking forward to seeing fireworks over Springfield's skyline when the community is healthy.

Golf Classic Rescheduled

Golfers want to golf and the Spirit of Springfield really needs their support this year. Instead of cancelling the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic, the tournament has been moved to Friday, August 7th, and WWLP-22News was the first to register a foursome.

There will be the same scramble format, competitive games on the course, and a delicious dinner all to support the mission to bring the community together in celebration.

The Spirit of Springfield is like many other organizations looking to make up lost revenues due to COVID-19. The difference is that the Spirit of Springfield serves the needs of one of the largest audiences. This includes all those who have been staying at home, essential workers, first responders and all who are a part of our community.

Please show your support for the Spirit of Springfield by bringing a foursome, sponsoring a tee or being a Community Spirit Sponsor. Register today!

Pancake Breakfast Paused

The Spirit of Springfield has put the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast on "pause." Due to COVID-19, the flapjack feast will not be held on May 9th

as planned. Volunteers, entertainers, donors, supporters have been notified and a new date is being considered.

The decision was made in conjunction with the City of Springfield and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, and for the safety and wellbeing of the community.

"It is the prudent and right decision," said Springfield Mayor Sarno. "Once we defeat this COVID-19 Coronavirus, and we will, with the Spirit of Springfield, celebrate once again."

As soon as a new date has been determined, it will be announced along with this year's Honorary Chair.

BREAKING NEWS

Thank you MassMutual!

The 169-year old Springfield-based company pledged their support to the Spirit of Springfield for 2020. Their contribution will help Springfield celebrate Independence Day at a later date, support the City of Bright Nights Ball and Bright Nights at Forest Park. Their commitment to the Spirit of Springfield and the community is truly remarkable and greatly appreciated.

In This Issue

Star Spangled Springfield Postponed

Golf Classic Rescheduled

Pancake Breakfast Paused

Guest Column - Jane Albert, Baystate Health

Barney Mansion Coloring Download

GUEST COLUMN

Jane Albert

Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications & External Relations

Baystate Health

(Former Spirit of Springfield Board Chair)

For more than 30 years, the Spirit of Springfield has lifted our "spirits" bringing us together as a community to celebrate at its world class events.

Now, when we need our spirits lifted as we endure the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic, we will be deprived of two of Spirit of Springfield's uplifting events - the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast that had been planned for this month and the Star Spangled Springfield that had been scheduled for the Fourth of July.

Baystate Health has been a long time sponsor of the Spirit of Springfield and recognizes its success in bringing our community together and fostering happiness that spans generations. In these challenging times, we need each other more than ever and would welcome all the joyful events that bring us together.

Please do all you can to support the well-being of your family, friends, and neighbors. Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by continuing all important safety measures - practice physical distancing, wear a face mask, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and wash your hands often.

With gratitude for all that Springfield of Springfield does for our community and best wishes for your good health and well-being.

BE CREATIVE

Give the kiddos (or yourself)

a creative project!

Download and color the

Barney Mansion the way they (or you) would like to see it.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Dates for 2020

Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Friday, August 7

Shotgun Start - 10am

Franconia Golf Course

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

TBA

8am to 11am

Main Street