In bringing the home-team spirit to Worcester for the Worcester Red Sox, we realized: the players aren’t the only stars here. There are people right here in our community that deserve to be cheered for, too.
That’s why Country Bank is excited to announce the 2025 WooStars– five local non-profit leaders who were nominated and selected to be recognized for the difference they make across Massachusetts every day. Each non-profit receives a $5,000 donation to their organization and is recognized in a special award ceremony on the field at Polar Park.
Nomination: “Donna not only is the Board President, but she is also a very active participant at Lorraine’s volunteering at the soup kitchen, helps with fundraising, she was very instrumental in getting the mobile pantry off the ground. Donna helps whenever and wherever she is needed. She will do everything from washing the floors, stocking the shelves, sorting canned goods, she helps with the mobile pantry, directs volunteers, answers calls, emails and data entry. There’s nothing she won’t do for Lorraine’s. Donna is also active with our parish, she is a member of the parish council, and community life commission.”
Nomination: “At Provision’s founding in 2017, Tom decided to use his career to help others and began by using his Jeep Cherokee to distribute essential items to those-in-need. Since then, Provision has distributed nearly $200M in food and new essential items solely by utilizing our fleet of trucks and incredible partner network. In Worcester alone in 2024, Tom and his small but mighty team distributed over $5M in Gifts-in-Kind to the community. He is dedicated to serving nonprofits that help low-income children and families, refugees, veterans, those struggling with addiction or mental illness, as well as those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. Today, we have the opportunity to multiply our impact by developing a distribution center location in Westborough Massachusetts to grow our capacity to help those in need in New England, across the states and the world. Tom has been focused on providing people with hope & dignity through these essential items. His commitment is unwavering.”
Nomination : “A Community Champion transforming Lives in Worcester Anthony Bizzotto, founder of Revive of the USA, has turned his personal journey of resilience and redemption into a mission to empower others. Through Revive of the USA, a nonprofit 501(c)3 specializing in addiction recovery and mental health fitness, Anthony is helping over 5,000+ individuals on an annual basis rediscover their strength and potential. Anthony Bizzotto, a native and resident of Leominster, Massachusetts. Is the Co-founder/President of Revive of the USA. He has over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness industry as a certified trainer/coach and has obtained bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Fitchburg State University. He is also a recovering addict/alcoholic with over 6 ½ years of sobriety. He understands what opiate addiction can do to the body and mind, and the benefits of a physical therapeutic approach in coordination with other treatments. It was during his Worcester-based inpatient detox program in 2014, that he thought, “Why isn’t there a program that implements movement as medicine during this critical phase of recovery?” This became the catalyst for Revive of the USA to positively impact 5,000+ individuals a year in the Worcester County region.”
Nomination: “Joe started Operation Service as a way to give back to our military. We raise money all year long to give FREE Christmas trees to active duty and veterans. It started off very small, we now give out over 1,200 Christmas trees. We have an anchor location in Fitchburg, we also travel to Hanscom Air Force Base, Devens, Barnes, and do a day at Wachusett Brewery. Operation Service has also traveled to the Viet Nam Wall in Leominster, Fitchburg, Townsend and Devens over the past few years. This fall, we are hosting Tunnels to Towers at the Fitchburg Airport. Joe has gone above and beyond to hold veterans in the highest esteem and help alleviate some expenses over the Christmas holidays. Our fundraising is always looking for ways to keep our organization afloat for the upcoming expenses, which are warmly received. Joe is one of a kind, and I feel he deserves to be recognized.”
Nomination: “Robert created this event while he was fighting Cancer himself. He spent 200 days in the hospital. 13 years strong, cancer free. The money he raises goes to Sister Caritas Cancer center at Mercy Hospital. The money he raises goes to other people fighting cancer to help offset unforeseen costs. Rides to appointments, rent, necessities, etc. Wicked in Pink is a motorcycle run, and event held every October. 800+ motorcycles and well over a 1,000 people attend each year. Raising over $80,000 to date. This event is one of the biggest in the area with help of many volunteers to make this event success each year. I believe he deserves this to help others who really need help. This puts their minds at ease when they have enough going on in their lives. Please consider Robert and Wicked in Pink.”
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