2008 Spirit of Girls Breakfast draws over 450

On April 17, 2008 Girls Inc. of Holyoke held their 2nd Spirit of Girls Breakfast, hosting over 450 people at the MassMutual Center, and raising over $130,000.  The one-hour event was centered around the theme Success: Pass It On!, which was inspired by two of Girls Inc.’s Youth Organizers, Dj and Kiara, who are sisters.  The event kicked off with nine year old Kiara DeJesus, a participant in the After-School Program, followed by a powerful testimony by Natasha Wilson, a VIP Ambassador, Youth Organizer, and recent recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.  To read their speeches, click here. 

The event also featured Dr. Carol Leary, President of Bay Path College and alumna of the Girls Incorporated organization.  Girls Inc.’s Executive Director, Suzanne Parker, and Heidi Thomson, Director of Development, also addressed the strong, smart and bold crowd.  Two performances topped off the event, and included a spoken word piece written by Girls Inc. teens, and a choreographed vocal performance sung by the After-School Program girls, accompanied by their volunteer tutors from Amherst College.

Major event sponsors included PeoplesBank and Baystate Health.  Other sponsors include Holyoke Gas & Electric, Peerless Handcuff, Holyoke Credit Union, A.W. Hastings, Fallon Community Health and Hampden Bank.  

Girls Inc. of Holyoke will hold their third Spirit of Girls Breakfast in the Spring of 2009.  Be sure not to miss it!