May News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Look out Springfield! The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast is ready to be served. On Saturday, May 12, Downtown Springfield will be spilling over with community spirit, and be overloaded with pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice, and family-friendly fun. It will mark the 6^th year the #flapjackfeast is being sponsored by MGMSpringfield.

Please join us and celebrate Springfield's birthday from 8am to 11am. Be sure to say hello to the 2018 Honorary Chair, Alex Dixon, MGM Springfield General Manager.

- Judy Matt
President

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Supporters

When the guests arrive for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by MGM Springfield, it will be nearly 24 hours after the set-up began by Michael's Party Rental and Mercy Medical Center whipped up a 500-gallon batch of pancake batter. The event is a team effort with Gleason Johndrow Landscaping coordinating supplies and assisting nearly 300 volunteers.

The donated supplies come from everywhere including Baystate Health, Cabot Creamery, Carando Classic Italian, Costco, H. P. Hood, Health New England, Mansfield Paper, and Performance Food Service. The Sheraton Springfield will be donating and brewing hundreds of gallons of coffee, and the Tower Square Hotel will be warming the bacon. Others providing services include the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the Springfield Business Improvement District.

It is the volunteers who put the finishing touch on the #flapjackfeast. Some arrive as early as 6am. They are there to stand behind sizzling grills for five hours. Their wrists pour thousands of gallons of coffee, juice, and milk. They sell tickets, keep the tables clean and smile with every plate of pancakes that are served.

See more photos from last year's pancake breakfast!

Things to Do & See at Pancake Breakfast

Fans of music, dance and even video games will find something to enjoy at the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. The entertainment areas, sponsored by United Bank, will be programmed with dance and musical performances. The Massachusetts Army National Guard will be bringing their gaming trailer and interactive displays. There will even be a miniature train offering rides.

For the first time, the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast will include tables on Market Place. The Shops at Market Place will be open. There will also be entertainment and more.

Visit spiritofspringfield.org for a complete schedule of activities.

September 11th Monument Fundraising

It will take $300,000 to build Springfield's September 11

^th Monument. Corporate donations currently exceed $100,000. Private donations continue to grow with the launch of GoFundMe.com/SpringfieldsSeptember11thMonument.

The monument is centered around an i-beam recovered by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001, attacks. It will feature the names of the 470 first responders whose lives were lost.

The Fundraising Committee is being chaired by Frank Colaccino, President of The Colvest Group. Many area businesses were on hand for the fundraising kick-off to present checks. These included representative from American International College, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Florence Savings Bank, Forastiere Family Funeral, Monarch Enterprises, PeoplesBank, Springfield Thunderbirds, St. Pierre - Phaneuf Funeral Chapels, and R. H. White Company.

Show your support by making a donation on-line.

See more photos from the media announcement!

Foursomes Wanted For Golf Classic

The Spirit of Springfield is looking for 36 foursomes to fill the field for the annual golf classic at Franconia Golf Course on Friday, June 1. Sponsored by Western Mass News, the tournament has been heralded as one of the fastest-moving 18 holes. It tees off at 10am and dinner is served before 5pm.

It is a great way for golfers, and non-golfers, to enjoy a delightful day on the beautifully manicured course while supporting the Spirit of Springfield's efforts to bring the community together in celebration. Lunch and dinner are served on the course.

Community Spirit and tee sponsors, and foursomes can register online. Or contact Nicole for more information.

See more photos from last year's golf tournament!

Congratulations Kathy Tobin!

Spirit of Springfield Director Kathy Tobin has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Radio and Television News Directors Association. She has been a member of the Spirit of Springfield Board since 2008 and is currently the Director of Annual Giving and Events for Baystate Health Foundation.

Congratulations, Kathy!

BREAKING NEWS

Tickets going fast for 2018 City of Bright Nights Ball! More than 350 tickets have already been reserved for the November 10 black-tie gala. It will be the first formal event to be showcased at the new MGM Springfield. Tickets, tables for ten guests, and sponsorship opportunities can be purchased on-line.

In This Issue

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Supporters

Things to Do & See at Pancake Breakfast

September 11th Monument Fundraiser

Foursomes Wanted for Golf Classic

Congratulations Kathy Tobin

Breaking News

Guest Column - Alex Dixon, MGM Springfield

Guest Column

Alex Dixon

General Manager

MGM Springfield

It is my honor to serve as the 2018 chairman of Massachusetts' most delicious tradition of all - The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. For the sixth consecutive year, MGM Springfield is proud to support this unique annual tradition in the city's downtown.

As you know, this distinct event was one of those early moments in Springfield that captured our imagination and allowed us to see the possibilities for rejuvenating a great American city. We were especially inspired by the teams of volunteers from Springfield's business, political and non-profit communities, who give of themselves so that families, neighbors and friends can share a meal together in a proud downtown that refuses to quit.

Contributing to the pride of community is something MGM Resorts knows well; we celebrate our social responsibility in numerous ways, from parades honoring ethnic diversity, to road races supporting cancer research, and festivals highlighting the values of environmental responsibility.

We feel strongly that these opportunities make our company and our employees healthier in every way and look forward to continuing our record of service in Springfield and Western Massachusetts for years to come.

It is my mission that given the opportunity, MGM Springfield will continue our partnership with the Spirit of Springfield and assert a similar passion and effectiveness to bring the energy, purpose and pride of this event to downtown Springfield every day.

VALLEY GIVES

MAY 1

Show your support for

Springfield's September 11th Monument

GIVE TODAY!

Dates for 2018

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, May 12

8am to 11am

Main Street