Mayor Sarno states, “Congratulations to this year’s chair and sponsor Patrick Pickering and AMR. As we continue to move our City of Springfield forward as we work together to defeat this COVID-19 pandemic, I cannot think of a better honoree then Patrick and his dedicated team at AMR. Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I have called upon AMR to help with testing for our residents and they delivered – over 425,000 tests provided to keep our residents and business community safe and healthy. I want to thank and acknowledge Shawn Pace and his team at Eastman for their continued belief and support of our city. Special shout out to Judy Matt and her Spirit of Springfield team, Board members, benefactors and sponsors. Thank you to Chris Kelley and his team at MGM for hosting us and to Paul Picknelly and our local Springfield Thunderbirds ownership group as our beloved T-Birds make another Calder Cup run as a team of destiny.”
“Congratulations to Spirit of Springfield for 33 incredible years and for their continued support to the community,” said Patrick Pickering. “I am honored to be chosen as the as Chair of the 2022 Spirit of Springfield Ball. AMR has stood shoulder to shoulder with Spirit of Springfield through the Pandemic over the past 2 ½ years, and it has never been more evident how committed and effective Spirit of Springfield is at creating a sense of belonging and positive culture through its events and communication with the public.”
“The theme this year is “love,” and what better way to show admiration for the City of Firsts than alongside the Spirit of Springfield as we celebrate in November at the Bright Nights Ball at MGM. Judy Matt and the Spirit of Springfield organization are an integral part of this great city, promoting community engagement and offering events that continue to bring the City of Springfield and region together, year after year,” added Pickering.
“All we need is love,” said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt. “It is one of the most profound emotions known to man, and something we all need a little more of. American Medical Response has been showing their love and support for our community for many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have gone above and beyond, administering more than 425,000 tests to keep our community healthy.”
Additional support for the City of Bright Nights Ball will be provided by Eastman – Indian Orchard, which was the lead sponsor of the 2021 gala and will sponsor this year’s Chairman’s Reception. Golden Circle Sponsors include Baystate Health, The Colvest Group, Comcast, FR Investment Group, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Health New England (HNE), MassMutual, MGM Springfield, Monson Savings Bank, MP CPA, New England Business Machine, PeoplesBank, Sheraton Springfield, and the Springfield Business Improvement District.
The invitation, designed by Rebecca Coderre, will set the tone for the 2022 City of Bright Nights Ball. It is a booklet of love letters from William Shakespeare to Johnny Cash. The décor and dinner will carry the theme throughout the evening. Andrew Jensen from JX2 Productions, and Dan Stezko with his team at Flowers, Flowers! will decorate the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield with hundreds of red roses and specialty lighting to create an ambiance of romance.
The culinary team at MGM Springfield, led by Chris Smigel, Executive Director of Hospitality, and Executive Chef Omar Echeverria, will present a divine dinner which will be finished with a passion fruit dessert.
In addition to the gourmet dinner, guests will have the opportunity to bid on live and silent auctions, purchase 50/50 raffle tickets, and dance to the music of Groove Authority. The Eric Bascom Trio, and Richie Mitnick and Joe Saimeri, will also perform during the evening.
For information about being a Golden Circle Sponsor at the City of Bright Nights Ball or to purchase tickets, contact the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800 or staff@spiritofspringfield.org.
The City of Bright Nights Ball is the Spirit of Springfield’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the non-profit organization’s efforts to bring the community together in celebration with iconic events that include the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, Star Spangled Springfield, and Bright Nights at Forest Park.
As part of the Global Medical Response family of companies, American Medical Response is committed to their mission of providing care to the world at a moment's notice. They have been a long-time supporter of the Spirit of Springfield from sponsorship to delivering tens of thousands of World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast tickets to schools throughout the region.
