Community Portal

413Cares: 413Cares is an innovative community portal that provides online access for residents of Western Massachusetts to available resources from housing, to healthcare, early education and more.

Agriculture

American Farmland Trust: National organization working to stop the loss of productive farmland and promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment at the federal, state and local levels.
CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture): Western Massachusetts organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. More than 250 farms participate in their programs.
Massachusetts Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association: Massachusetts NOFA is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local sustainable agriculture.
Massachusetts Department of Agriculture

Attractions

The Blandford Fair: Held annually on Labor Day weekend, presented by the Union Agriculture & Horticultural Society.

Business

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
Hilltown Community Development Corporation: Organization that works to improve the quality of life in the Hilltowns by addressing the economic, environmental and social needs while preserving the rural integrity of the area.

Charity

Vehicles For Veterans: A non-profit 501(c)(3) vehicle donation organization benefiting disabled and other veterans organizations.

Cultural

Massachusetts Cultural Council: A state agency that is committed to building a central place for the arts, sciences and humanities in the everyday lives of communities across the Commonwealth.

Education

Gateway Regional School District: Serving Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Worthington and Russell.
Gateway Education Foundation: A not-for-profit organization that raises funds to enhance educational opportunities for students of the Gateway Regional School District.

Government

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Municipal Association: A nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns.
State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli: Democratic State Representative for Blandford.
State Senator Adam Hinds: Democratic State Senator for Blandford.
Congressman Richard Neal: Democratic Congressman for Massachusetts’ 1st District.
Senator Ed Markey: Democratic Senator for Massachusetts.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Democratic Senator for Massachusetts.
Voter Registration: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Elections Division.

Hazardous Waste

NEDT Household Hazardous Products Collection Center: Accepts household hazardous products (see “What We Accept” on their web site) from households of any municipality in Massachusetts and certain adjoining states.

Historical

Massachusetts State Society National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: Massachusetts Daughters are active in their communities supporting programs and activities that promote patriotism, historic preservation, and education.
Massachusetts Historical Society: An independent research library and manuscript repository.
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution: This site provides sound historical information and interpretation of the basis, events, people, and consequences of the American Revolution against tyranny and the struggle for liberty and independence.
The White Church of Blandford: Owned by the Blandford Historical Society and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

News

The Country Journal: Weekly newspaper offering news, local events and classified advertising for the hilltown community. Serves Becket, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Otis, Plainfield, Russell, Sandsfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington.
MassLive: Western Mass’ Leading Web Site for News and Community Interaction.
WWLP (Channel 22)
Western Mass News (CBS 3/ABC 40/Fox 6)

Recreation

Amelia Park Ice Arena: Facility which includes a NHL sized ice rink with seating for 600, a figure skating lounge, three party rooms, a skate rental and sharpening area, four locker rooms and a food concession area, as well as a 65′ x 170′ outside inline skating rink.
Blandford Country Club: Founded in 1909, The Blandford Club has been home to a charming social, golf and tennis club enjoyed by members of all ages, handicaps and skill levels.

Seniors

Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Food assistance.
The Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA): We can arrange transportation by request for elders and the disabled residents in our 40-town area. We use a network of public and private transportation providers to provide this service. In order to qualify for these services, you must be 60 or older or have a significant mobility or functional impairment. Disabled customers must have valid eligibility through the FRTA.
Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWAP): HEARTWAP provides heating system repair and replacement services to low-income households.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Known commonly as Fuel Assistance, LIHEAP provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills. Learn more, including how to apply.
The National Alliance for Caregiving: A non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving.
Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Exemptions: Link to Masschusetts Department of Revenue guides and application forms.

Utilities

Eversource (formerly WMECO): The main distributor of electricity in western Massachusetts.
Whip City Fiber: Provider of Blandford’s very own fiber gigabit internet service.

Youth Organizations

Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts: “I can’t wait to…” That’s what your girls will be exclaiming after just one Girl Scout activity. Join the excitement!
Boy Scouts of Western Massachusetts: The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.