Hilltown Families: BEST BLOG
Vote for Us by Feb. 3rd!
Deadline to cast your votes is 12noon, Feb 3rd.
Hilltown Families is celebrating 10 years! — TEN YEARS!!! Celebrate with us by casting your vote for Hilltown Families as Best Blog in the Valley Advocate’s Best of the Valley Readers’ Poll for 2016!
Best Blog is listed under the
“InformationAge“ category, last page of the poll. Participants must vote for a total of 10 local favorites… how about some of our sponsors (listed in the left-hand column)?
Hilltown Families believes in creating resilient and sustainable communities by developing and strengthening a sense of place in our children and citizens through community based education and engagement. We work to accomplish this by highlighting the embedded learning that is found everywhere in our communities, making the information accessible to families, and giving parents/educators access to opportunities that supports their children’s interests and education while encouraging community engagement.
Founded in late 2005 by Sienna Wildfield, the Hilltown Families blog is part of a online grassroots communication network for families living in Western MA, and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Serving thousands of families living throughout the region, Hilltown Families supports education through community engagement by connecting, collaborating, and creating community building events, community based educational opportunities, and service learning experiences.
“I have loved having access to a very thoughtful and diverse list of cultural opportunities in my region. I also appreciate being able to spread the word about activities that I am invested in and/or organizing. This is what living in a vibrant community is all about! Thanks, Hilltown Families!” – Pamela S. (Shelburne Falls, MA)
“Hilltown Families is THE best resource for activities for children and families in Western Mass, in my opinion! I have found that you have certain happenings on your page that I had not seen advertised anywhere else! That makes you my ‘go to’ resource! And I really like the areas you cover as well… I can find an activity in Greenfield, Deerfield, Westfield or Springfield…or anywhere on between! You also give very complete information on the events you are suggesting to your audience. What’s not to like? Hilltown Families is THE best!” – Christine B. (Ludlow, MA)
“Hilltown Families is the first place I check when deciding what to do with a free weekend, day, or even hour! My favorite thing is when they post a question to the community and we can read the opinions and recommendations of our fellow parents – this is true community engagement in the 21st century. This website is an absolute service to our community – not just people with kids but for everyone! I’d be at a total loss most weekends or when guests visit, if not for Hilltown Families, and I think we should support it as it has supported us.” – Lauren W. (Northampton, MA)
“Family life in the Hilltowns is brighter, bolder and culturally enriched by the support of Hilltown Families. It has been the number one constant resource for events, concerts, and community education for our family in our parenting journey. Hilltown Families has widely become essential support for family life in Western Massachusetts, a network that grows happier healthier families through community, connection, and education. Thank you Hilltown Families for all you do!” – Zoe J. (Shelburne Falls, MA)
“I am currently single parenting a child with special needs; recently separated & often feeling very isolated. Hilltown Families shares information that brings people together & opens up great discussions on ways to support one another; as well as stimulating entertainment within the community. Thank-you for being there for us!” – Sarah M. (Chicopee, MA)
“Without Hilltown Families, I would be unaware of almost every wonderful event organized by our community. Hilltown Families brings people out of their houses and out into the world: in doing so, our wider community is strengthened along with our individual families.” – Tricia L (Northampton, MA)
“When I had my son, I experienced fairly severe postpartum depression. I struggled to find other mothers and parents going through what I was and felt alone, though I knew resources were out there. I continue to experience some ripples from that tumultuous time and discovered Hilltown Families in the not so distant past. As I embark upon a summer of being home alone with my toddler, I have experienced fear that isolation will creep back in and I will be in the same dark place that I was when he was born. The updates from this blog have given me hope that I will be able to be a greater part of the community and experience many new things with my son, creating a summer of incredible memories.” – Jana P. (Easthampton, MA)
“I am currently single parenting a child with special needs; recently separated & often feeling very isolated. Hilltown Families shares information that brings people together & opens up great discussions on ways to support one another; as well as stimulating entertainment within the community. Thank-you for being there for us!” – Sarah M. (Chicopee, MA)
The Best Blog category is under “Information Age,” the past category in the poll. To take part in the Valley Advocate’s Best of the Valley Readers’ Poll for 2016, you must vote in 10 or more categories. Over the years Hilltown Families has had many wonderful sponsors proudly displayed in the left-hand column. Consider voting for one of these local businesses, showing your appreciated of their support of Hilltown Families! Once you place your vote you will be sent a confirmation email you must respond to to complete your voting.
THANK YOU FOR A DECADE OF GREAT JOY AND ENGAGEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT WESTERN MA!
Hilltown Families 
See this TEDx Talk, Supporting Education Through Community Engagement, where Hilltown Families founder, Sienna Wildfield, shares the story behind the vision and mission of Hilltown Families:
“I have loved having access to a very thoughtful and diverse list of cultural opportunities in my region. I also appreciate being able to spread the word about activities that I am invested in and/or organizing. This is what living in a vibrant community is all about! Thanks, Hilltown Families!” – Pamela S. (Shelburne Falls, MA)
