When:  March 22, 2012

Where:  The Log Cabin, Holyoke

About the Event:   Businesswest Difference Makers Honors the People Who Make Western Massachusetts a Better Place to Live, Work and Do Business. This year promises to be one of the best Difference Makers Events yet.

Two of the individuals are cousins, continuing and expanding D’Amour family traditions of business excellence, service to the community, and philanthropy. Another is the president of a community college hailed for his efforts to create ‘pathways’ to his institution and then from it, to four-year colleges and career opportunities. Still another has forged a reputation for getting things done, especially in the realms of adult literacy and creating permanent solutions to the problem of homelessness. Meanwhile, a husband-and-wife team, majors in the Salvation Army, have been lauded for their work with disasters — large ones, like the tornadoes that touched down last June, and the personal ones involving individuals who come to their door every day. Finally, there is an organization celebrated for the many ‘investments’ it is making in women and girls across this region. These are the Difference Makers for 2012, and while their contributions vary, they have all enhanced quality of life in Western Massachusetts.

• Donald and Charlie D’Amour, Chairman/CEO and President/COO, respectively, Big Y Foods

• William Messner, President, Holyoke Community College

• Majors Tom and Linda-Jo Perks, Officers, the Springfield Corps of the Salvation Army

• Bob Schwarz, Executive Vice President, Peter Pan Bus Lines

• The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (represented by Shonda Pettiford, chair of the Board of Directors, and Carla Oleska, CEO)

Call 413-781-8600 Ext 100 or Marketing@BusinessWest.com

Tickets $55 Per Person (Tables Of 10 Are Available)