WEST SPRINGFIELD – On April 18, The Eastern States Exposition (ESE) donated over $240,000 to The Big E/West Springfield Trust Fund – the largest contribution since the fund’s inception in 1994.

Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Eugene J. Cassidy presented the donation in the form of a check during a special ceremony at the West Springfield Town Hall. Every year, ESE donates 1 percent of the organization’s gross annual revenues to the fund. A portion of those funds is then appropriated to a variety of agencies benefiting education, youth and the elderly in the form of grants – leaving the remainder to accrue. The trustees of the fund are West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt, Attorney Mary Paier Powers and Cassidy.

In a press release sent to Reminder Publications, Cassidy stated, “The Exposition is a long-time supporter of its hometown and maintains this fund to help youth and the elderly as well as benefit education for our children. I encourage every town agency or qualifying organization to apply for a Big E/West Springfield grant to defray the costs of important projects.  

“Maintaining this fund for the betterment of the quality of life in our town is of the utmost importance to the Exposition. We hope more qualifying agencies, services, schools and centers apply for grant dollars to supplement their efforts,” he continued.

The fund’s grants for 2017 totaled to more than $63,200 for 15 town organizations schools and sports teams, including:

• West Springfield Boys & Girls Club for indoor program space, renovations and improvement

• West Springfield Park & Recreation for sports registration fee waivers for participants who show a need

• Ecumenical Outreach for monthly and holiday meals; care packages for the homeless

• Lions Club for a tribute to Veterans, flags and scholarships

• St. Thomas the Apostle School to update library, three computers and encyclopedia

• West Springfield Alternative School for a field trip to Salem, Mass.

• West Springfield High School for matching basketball sneakers for all levels, AED trainer, Girls Varsity Track & Field uniforms and equipment

• YMCA of Greater Springfield for Birch Park amenities and activities

After this year’s gift, ESE’s total contributions to the fund reached $3,999,669. Cassidy pledged his own personal donation of $331 during the check presentation to bring the number to an even $4 million.

The Trust Fund was initially established as a way to expand the Big E fair from 12 days to 17 days back in 1994. The fair now runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 1, and is the largest fair in the Northeast. In 2017, the town received over $1.6 million in ESE payments, including taxes, fire and police protection, licenses and fees.

“I think we’re very fortunate to have the Big E continuously be able to make this profit and this commitment to the Town,” said Attorney Mary Powers. “The more successful the fair is, the more successful the Town of West Springfield will be.”

Grant applications for the fund are readily available at the mayor’s office, located at 26 Central St.