William Pynchon Awards bestowed on 4 at ceremony (photos)
By Frederick J. Gore / Special to The Republican
HOLYOKE – A joint ceremony was held by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts honoring the 2020 and 2021 recipients of The Order of William Pynchon Award and Medal at the Log Cabin Banquet House on Thursday, Oct. 7.
The 2020 recipients were Janine Fondon, co-founder and CEO of UnityFirst, a communications network focused on diversity and inclusion, and Elizabeth Wills-O’Gilvie, a leader in a local campaign to improve school food through her work with the Springfield Food Policy Council.
The 2021 recipients were Helen Caulton-Harris, commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services for the city of Springfield, and Victor Rojas, director of technology for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke.
The William Pynchon Award has been honoring men and women of the community whom have put others first with a focus on youth, the elderly, and those in need since 1915.
After the ceremony a buffet style dinner was offered with background music provided by the Jon Fisher Trio of Holyoke. More than 100 visitors attended the event.