Square One received donation from Florence Bank

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local bank has donated $100,000 to support Square One’s “Back to Square One” capital campaign.

The gift from Florence Bank will help Square One continue to build its new $15 million center on Main Street. The building was previously destroyed by a tornado in 2011 and now Square One has new hopes for it.

The new 26,000-square-foot facility will include four preschool classrooms, an outdoor learning and play area, a full-service family support center, and administrative offices.

“There’s a dire lack of early education and child care in that part of the city. And so this new building will address the needs of 80 children receiving early education care. But we will also welcome over a thousand families that will come in for some support services,” said Square Once President and CEO Dawm DiStefano.

Square One’s new location is expected to open in the spring of 2025.

Local News Headlines

American Red Cross and the Salvation Army need volunteers and donations to keep helping hurricane victims in Southeast

Longmeadow dog inspires new Massachusetts law

BizGrow conference offers free legal help to entrepreneurs

O’Dell Center distributed 15,000 diapers to families in need

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.