STCC staffer who helps children in need honored as ‘Game Changer’

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College Coordinator of Student Activities Andrea Tarpey was honored as a “Game Changer” for her efforts to help needy children receive gifts during the holiday season.

The Center for Human Development, in partnership with the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey team, gave Tarpey the CHD Game Changer Award during a Feb. 10 home game at MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Donna St. John, a clinician at CHD, also was recognized for her efforts helping children.

I am deeply honored that the CHD and Springfield Thunderbirds considered my community service work worthy of this award. Andrea Tarpey, STCC's Coordinator of Student Activities

CHD, the largest social service organization in Western Massachusetts, and the Thunderbirds have been spotlighting Game Changers during each home game this season. They recognize individuals who have made a critical difference in their communities in the Pioneer Valley.

“These Game Changers will be proud role models that all of Springfield and Western Massachusetts can salute,” according to the Thunderbirds website.

"I am deeply honored that the CHD and Springfield Thunderbirds considered my community service work worthy of this award.  I couldn't make those contributions without the help the STCC student leaders, and I look forward to future community service projects," Tarpey said.

Tarpey, a Longmeadow resident, and St. John have worked together for more than 10 years to make sure needy children receive gifts during the holiday season.

The Office of Student Activities this past year raised $547 through a fundraiser to pay for toys and clothing for Springfield-area children served by CHD, according to an STCC press release. Tarpey estimated that her office has helped more than 250 to 300 children over the years.

“Once we reach our fund-raising goals we go out and personally purchase the children holiday gifts from their wish list,” Tarpey said. “We have ‘adopted’ between 25 to 30 children each holiday season.”

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).

Media Contact:

Jim Danko, Coordinator of Media Relations

(413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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