Despite a rainy start, 60 golfers teed off for the annual Brightside Golf Invitational at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick. The outing raised close to $66,000 to support the programs and services provided by Brightside for Families and Children, which serves more than 500 families. Westfield Bank and the Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation were title sponsors of the event.
In addition to assisting Brightside, golfers competed for the Wagner Cup, named in honor of William Wagner, President of the former Chicopee Savings Bank and respected community service leader who passed away in 2021. Wagner was also a longtime supporter of the annual Brightside Golf Classic, having served as co-chair of the tournament for several years.
Following the Invitational, golfers enjoyed a cook-out style lunch where Sister Mary Caritas, S.P., former President of Mercy Medical Center and longtime advocate for Brightside, represented the Sisters of Providence congregation. Sister Caritas also added some perspective regarding the history of Brightside over the years. "Brightside was founded as an orphanage in 1881 to serve the community's most vulnerable children and adolescents. Since those early days, community needs have changed significantly and Brightside has adapted its programs to continue to provide vital outpatient services to children and families," said Sister Caritas.
The funds raised through this year's tournament will support Brightside’s efforts to assist children, adolescents and families in need through family outreach and stabilization, psychiatric and medication evaluation and management, special education, and therapeutic mentoring.