News & Happenings

HOLYOKE, MASS. March 3, 2023.

Cooper’s Presents Embroidered Blankets to Sisters of Providence

Cooper’s Gifts, Apparel, Home of Agawam, Massachusetts, presented throw blankets to the six Sisters of Providence that will be riding on a float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year, the Sisters of Providence are celebrating the 150th year since their arrival in Holyoke, where they meet the health, spiritual, and social needs of the greater Holyoke-Springfield area.

“When we learned of the plans for the commemorative float in the parade, we knew that the sisters needed to stay warm and wanted them to have a keepsake from their special day. It is an honor to give them these blankets,” said Kate Gourde, the Owner of Cooper’s Gifts, Apparel, Home.

The blankets are the same ones that many of the local Colleens and court members use on Parade Day. Cooper’s blankets are made in the USA and locally embroidered with each of the sisters’ names. The gift presentation took place at Providence Place at Ingleside, followed by a luncheon and tour of the facility, including its beautiful chapel.

IN ANOTHER INITIATIVE, Cooper’s has supported Providence Ministries, a Sisters of Providence sponsored organization, for many years each March through the store’s charity Round Up program.

Sister Margaret McCleary, SP founded Providence Ministries in 1980 to serve those in need. Their programs include Kate’s Kitchen, Margaret’s Pantry, St. Jude’s Clothing Center, foodWorks, and sober housing residences — McCleary Manor, Broderick House, and Loreto House.

Left to Right: Sister Elizabeth Oleksak, SP; Margaret Lenihan – Board of Directors Sisters of Providence Ministry Corporation, Sister Geraldine Noonan, SP, Sister Mary Caritas Geary, SP, Kate Gourde – Owner of Cooper’s Gifts, Sister Julie Crane, SP, Sister Senga Fulton, SP, and Sister Kathleen Popko, SP – President of the Sisters of Providence.