Third Thursday: Meet Sarah Calabrese-Dunphy of West Springfield Boys & Girls Club
Sarah Calabrese-Dunphy, Resource and Philanthropy Director at West Springfield Boys & Girls Club.
At Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, we refute the notion that networking must be buttoned up. At March’s Third Thursday at West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, we flip the script and invite you to be a kid for the night.
Tour the club after hours and get competitive with old and new connections. Revel in the nostalgia of Mario Kart, a round of knockout basketball, Wii Sports and more. The gymnasium also offers plenty of room for a pickup round of pickleball.
You’ll need to fuel up while socializing and practicing your sportsmanship, so stop by the Club Café. You can snack on small bites by Partner’s of Agawam, Mass., and sip brews by West Springfield’s own Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. Enjoy chilled beverages during your post-match cool downs.
During your tour of the club, you can look forward to an exclusive look at the all-new Plugged In Technology Lab. A $6,000 grant, made possible by the Eastern States Exposition-West Springfield Trust, afforded the club the means to build a state-of-the-art lab equipped with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools, 3D printers, advanced software, comfortable gaming chairs and more. The goal of the Plugged In program is to allow children to explore technological skills and prepare for the work force. Can you think of a better learning environment for Greater Springfield’s future young professionals?
“We’re thrilled to be hosting this special networking event,” said Sarah Calabrese-Dunphy, the club’s resource and philanthropy director and a proud member of YPS of Greater Springfield. She is a lifelong West Springfield resident and accepted her role with the club in 2019.
“This gives YPS members a chance to experience our newly renovated spaces firsthand,” she explained. “After five years of exciting improvements, including preschool classrooms, outdoor playscapes and a STEAM and technology room, we can’t wait to open our doors and invite young professionals to reconnect with the magic of being a kid.
“I feel incredibly proud to help sustain and grow the club,” she continued. “This organization has been a cornerstone of our community for 112 years. My role includes overseeing our three major fundraising events, including the fast-approaching Flutes & Flavors; managing donor relations, supporting our grants work and building long-term resources that ensure all our children have access to life-changing opportunities.”
Flutes & Flavors takes place at the scenic Springfield Country Club, which boasts a stunning porch view of the Pioneer Valley. This year’s theme is Old Hollywood, and guests are welcome to dress for the theme or in elevated casual attire. The event features a DJ, local businesses, civic leaders and food and beverage connoisseurs. Every ticket purchased and every auction bid directly supports the club families who need scholarship assistance.
“In 2025, we reached a record-breaking $117,696,” said Calabrese-Dunphy. “This financial aid ensured that no child would be turned away from the club due to an inability to pay. This mission is at the heart of all that we do.”
If, at the end of your tour, you feel inclined to further support the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, consider attending their Flutes & Flavors fundraiser at the Springfield Country Club on Friday, March 27.
March’s Third Thursday event at the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club begins at 5:30pm, and registration is now available at SpringfieldYPS.com