Families
Emily Willis, Friends of the Foundation Spotlight
Emily Willis, former Mary Lyon Foundation board member and devoted librarian, is steadfastly committed to fostering student success. Through her involvement with the Mary Lyon Foundation, Emily ensures the Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRS) literacy and library programs are successful. She’s passionate about the benefits of the library, and she was eager to partner with the Mary Lyon Foundation for…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Spring 2023
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to celebrate the tireless work of our Volunteers! April is National Volunteer Month, and the Mary Lyon Foundation is exceptionally grateful for the service of our volunteers. Their impact is immeasurable. The Mary Lyon Foundation has eleven volunteers who assist us with our grocery delivery program through Hilltown Church’s…
Read MoreProviding Warmth and Care During a Cold, Hard Winter
Scarlet Kitchen and her son recently moved to Massachusetts from Hawaii. Going from a warm, sunny climate to a cold, dark New England winter was a shock to their systems. To make the challenging transition harder, Scarlet’s furnace broke in November. Scarlet contacted several offices in the area to receive assistance, but no one returned…
Read MoreFriends of the Foundation: Jocelyn Alvord, Shelburne Falls Branch Manager and Officer for Greenfield Savings Bank
Greenfield Savings Bank proudly supports the Mary Lyon Foundation and promotes its vision and mission to advance and invest in the success of local students and prepare them for the wider world. This vital work focuses primarily on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District in Franklin County. In recent years, GSB sponsored the Mary Lyon…
Read MoreThe Power of A Helping Hand
Elijah and Rachel Smith are the parents of seven children. With seven mouths to feed, seven closets to fill, and a challenging number of bills to pay, The Mary Lyon Foundation has been an impactful and vital resource to their family. The Smiths initially reached out to the Mary Lyon Foundation for their support over three…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Winter 2023
The new year is a time of renewal and a time to reflect on the year past. When I look back over the last year, I am grateful to all of you for supporting the vision and mission of the Mary Lyon Foundation. Our community’s children, families, and educators are better equipped because of you.…
Read MoreAdopt-A-Child
Adopt-A-Child Each year, the Mary Lyon Foundation partners with Greenfield Savings Bank to bring the children of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District a little holiday spirit. Through our Adopt-a-Child Program, we set up a holiday tree in the lobby of Greenfield Savings Bank in Shelburne Falls. The tree is then decorated paper ornaments specifying…
Read MoreCPR Training
Last spring, the Mary Lyon Foundation was honored to provide funding to six ambitious MTRS students in Tamara Brown’s health class to become CPR certified! MTRSD Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs are actively working with local fire chiefs to increase the number of volunteer firefighters. Part of that program includes CPR and First Aid Certification.…
Read MoreMTRS Senior Capstone Project
The Mary Lyon Foundation is proud to assist students by providing financial support to complete educational projects. The MTRS Senior Capstone is a long-term independent project that all seniors are required to complete before graduation. Students choose from an array of disciplines to design their projects, perform in-depth research, and set realistic goals to make…
Read MoreSummer Programming Scholarship
The Mary Lyon Foundation funded $2,500 in summer scholarships to help bridge the gap for families who could not afford to send their children to local summer programs. Due to the deep poverty gap within western Franklin County, some families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch services but may struggle to afford childcare…
Read More