October 2020

From our Executive Director, Barbara Loh:

We have great news!!

Valley Eye Radio has been very fortunate to have received a generous COVID-19 Stabilization grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. This latest round of coronavirus relief funds will provide us with much needed additional funding during these challenging times for non-profits and so many others.

CFWM's financial support (including a COVID-19 Emergency grant this summer) is keeping us on an even keel despite the unknowns and uncertainties we still face without a final state budget so far this fiscal year.

After more than 40 years in the Pioneer Valley, know that we are here to stay. In addition to these grants, our cost effective operations and our amazing cadre of volunteers--many who continue to read from the safety of their homes with the latest technology (that through a pre-COVID capital grant from CFWM) -- we are on solid financial footing going forward.

Thanks also to all our dependable donors who contributed to our September COVID-19 fundraising drive. Every dollar counts now more than ever!

We are so grateful for all of you and know that you are truly keeping us on the air for our listeners who are more vulnerable than ever during this pandemic. Many thanks.

• Thanks to our friends at Storrs Library in Longmeadow, Valley Eye Radio is able to present audio recordings from such presentations as the entertaining “There’s a Porcupine in My Outhouse” by author Michael Tougias to a look at life in Longmeadow during the 1918 Pandemic as presented by Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member, Melissa Cybulski.
  
  

• Valley Eye Radio also knows that informed voters make the best decisions, and we want our listeners to have the facts about this year’s ballot questions as well as other information regarding early voting, voting by mail or in person.
  
  Our volunteer readers are reading the question summaries and the arguments pro and con to give those who are unable to read the print version, the information that they need. Helping our listeners be active citizens in their communities is one of the many things we do at Valley Eye Radio.
  
  
• Have you checked out our new website yet?
  
  
• In commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Valley Eye Radio will present a series of programs all month on the subject including a rebroadcast of our recording from October 2019 on “Advances in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment".
  
  This presentation by Dr. Mateen and Dr. Dulala, oncologist specialists from Holyoke Medical Center will inform our listeners on this very important subject.

• Valley Eye Radio continues to present our listeners the latest articles from major publications such as the NY Times, National Geographic, Atlantic Magazine and more dealing with various aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. This includes news on the possible vaccines, research study updates and more!
  
  
• Thanks to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Valley Eye Radio presented to our listeners the audio recording of their Zoom presentation on "Using the Covid 19 Data Dashboard".
  
  Dr. Kathleen Szegda, PHIWM’s Director of Community Research and Evaluation presented the Dashboard. A panel including Representative Mindy Domb from Amherst and regional public health experts discussed how they are using COVID-19 data to inform decisions and challenges.
  
  
• Happy Birthday to all of those in our volunteer reader family who were born in the month of October: Andrea felt the love on the 2nd, Joshua got virtual wishes from friends and family on the 6th, Diane and Kathy began their next trip around the sun on the 7th, Joan got lots of nice gift books on the 8th, Karen M. has her big day on the 14th, Ginny knows that she’s loved on the 17th, Susan’s inbox is filled with nice wishes on the 18th, Dan gets his presents on the 19th, Annie gets her cake and ice cream on the 21st and John gets all the attention on the 27th.
  
  Happy Birthday wishes to all!