September 10, 2025 - Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Massachusetts, and the WooSox Foundation recently announced the 2025 WooStars, a program that supports non-profit leaders throughout the region.COUNTRY BANK AND THE WORCESTER RED SOX ANNOUNCE THE 2025 WOOSTARS
Country Bank and the Worcester Red Sox recently recognized five local WooStars and the non-profits they are affiliated with at Polar Park to include: Joe Firmani – Operation Service, Anthony Bizzotto - Revive of the USA, Inc., Robert Alves - Wicked in Pink, Donna Marratta - Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, Inc. and Tom Slicklen - Provision Ministry. Each non-profit was presented with a $5,000 donation.
The WooStars program reflects our shared dedication, as it allows community members to nominate outstanding individuals to recognize their contributions to the communities they serve and to contribute to the nonprofits they support. Now in its fifth year, this program has recognized 41 WooStars, providing $205,000 in donations. We are proud to stand behind these community leaders who are making a significant impact," stated Jodie Gerulaitis, First Vice President of Community Relations at Country Bank.
In attendance were Mary McGovern, President and CEO of Country Bank, along with members of the board of trustees, senior leadership team and James Phaneuf, Chairman of the Board. Their presence emphasized the bank’s continued commitment to supporting local leaders and celebrating the meaningful difference they make in our communities.
"Country Bank continues to be a relentless purveyor of goodwill in our community," said Dr. Charles A. Steinberg, President of the Worcester Red Sox and the WooSox Foundation. "We thank our partners for scouting, finding, and introducing these terrific WooStars, whom we warmly welcomed Wednesday to Polar Park."
Country Bank is a full-service $1.8B mutual community bank serving central and western Massachusetts with 15 offices in Ware, Palmer, West Brookfield, Brimfield, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Longmeadow, Leicester, Paxton, Charlton, Springfield and Worcester. With a commitment to personalized service and community involvement, Country Bank offers individuals, businesses, and municipalities a comprehensive range of banking products and services. Country Bank is a member of FDIC, DIF, and the SUM network. Country Bank can be reached at 800-322-8233 or online at countrybank.com.
About the Worcester Red Sox
The Worcester Red Sox, the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate, began play in Worcester at Polar Park in 2021. The club has won Minor League Baseball’s top awards for Community Outreach and Latinx and Hispanic Outreach, and has led all 120 clubs in Corporate Partnerships and Ticket Sales. Through 2024, the WooSox were the only club whose fans purchased more than 500,000 tickets each of the past three years, and they are on track for a fourth straight in 2025. The award-winning WooSox Foundation presents such programs as the WooSox Scholars, WooSox Mentors, Care-A-Van Adventures, Tyler’s Teammates, Childhood Cancer Awareness Nights, Mental Health Days, Police & Firefighter Baseball Games, Woofster’s WonderDogs, Veterans Steak Dinner Celebrations, and In Debt to a Vet ceremonies.
Jodie Gerulaitis FVP Community Relations
About Country Bank