Lena Sclove: Hearing the words

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lena Sclove of Amherst, 18, offered the following remarks at the Paragon Awards ceremony Thursday to explain the work she has done as a volunteer writing coach at the shelter run by Safe Passage since June.

Paragon Awards winners highlight exceptional volunteerism

HADLEY - An awards program that celebrates Valley volunteers brought five new members into its fold this week. And for the sixth time, the Paragon Awards dared the whole community to join the cause of helping others.

Five local heroes chosen to be honored with Paragon Awards

NORTHAMPTON - Four Paragon Awards will be presented to five individuals who all work in unique ways to serve their community. The awards, along with a list of honorable mentions, were announced this week by the Paragon Partnership.

Paragon Awards nominees sought

NORTHAMPTON - The deadline is the end of this week for community nominations for the sixth annual Paragon Awards, which recognize volunteer work by citizens in Hampshire County.

The 2010 Paragon Awards are sponsored by a partnership consisting of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, the American Red Cross of Hampshire County and the United Way of Hampshire County.

2010 Paragon Awards nominees sought

NORTHAMPTON - Community nominations are currently being accepted for the sixth annual Paragon Awards, which recognize volunteer work by citizens in Hampshire County.

He's up early, out daily helping others

NORTHAMPTON - Carl Erickson wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to take his cocker spaniel, Oliver, for a walk around his Northampton neighborhood. Since retiring from his job at Solutions by Computer in Springfield over a year ago, his walk with Oliver gets his day started on his terms.

Teen finds service helps open her eyes

AMHERST - Emily Norman says she would volunteer every day at the Amherst Survival Center, if it were open more. Instead, Norman, 17, a junior at Amherst Regional High School, heads to the center after school every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.