AGAWAM | FEEDING HILLS | WEST SPRINGFIELD WWW.THEREMINDER.COM
JULY 2, 2026 | FREE
Agawam students raise money, tour House of Hope IN THIS
EDITION
By Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD
ESE presents annual foundation donation A check for $351,742 represented 1% of the ESE’s annual gross operating revenue.
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
CHD Cancer House of Hope Program Director Margaret Toomey shows a wig to students from Doering School in Agawam. Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
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children, she said, “Every single one of you should be so proud of what you’ve done.” Student Maha Abdelrahman said, “I feel really good that I donated my time. I decided to donate my time instead of sitting and watching TV.” Lily Sullivan simply said, “I like helping people.” Many of the students had family members or neighbors who have had cancer. Alanna Sullivan said, “I felt so excited. I know my aunt recently got diagnosed with
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youth, whose family is experiencing a cancer diagnosis. This is the third year of a partnership between the school and the organization. School Adjustment Counselor Karen Cree said the partnership began after a student was diagnosed with leukemia, and wanting to help, the other students raised money for Cancer House of Hope. The following year, two parents developed cancer, and the partnership continued. “They’re our ambassadors,” Toomey said. Addressing the
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“They were so great, running up into the stands,” recalled Doering School Interventionist Kristen Oberheim. The CHD Cancer House of Hope is a nonprofit organization that offers support services free of charge to adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. Among the available services are wig fittings and consultations, counseling, relaxation classes, certified oncology massage, reiki, hypnosis, art therapy, yoga and cooking demonstrations. The organization is also offering counseling for
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Jazz & Roots Festival returns for 2026
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WEST SPRINGFIELD — Ten fifth and sixth graders from Agawam crowded into a small room at West Springfield’s CHD Cancer House of Hope. The shelves were lined with wigs of every color and style draped over foam and plastic heads. The students curiously asked Program Director Margaret Toomey questions, wondering how people put them on, how long a wig will last and if the hair can be curled and styled. Toomey patiently answered the children’s questions before the group moved on to tour other areas of the house. Outside in the garden, the children scattered small rocks they had painted with inspiring messages for the clients who come to Cancer House of Hope for support after a diagnosis. Once back inside, the students presented Toomey with a check for $672, which they had raised for the organization. In addition to the check, the students donated a large plastic zipper top bag full of coins that the students had collected. The 10 students, members of the Doering School Student Council and Kindness Club, had volunteered their time to collect donations for the nonprofit at an Agawam High School game.