Bill Collins is a true partner of his community. As the proprietor of Center Square Grill, co-founder of the Northampton Jazz Festival, and longstanding ambassador of Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, Bill embodies the idea of living, working and bettering your community.
In 2017, his infant son was diagnosed with scoliosis and Bill quickly became a regular in the halls of Shriner’s Hospital for Children. During the course of his son’s treatment, Bill met several families who had come from far distances and were staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield while their children underwent treatment. It was then that Bill realized how fortunate he was to keep his family together and close to home during an uncertain and stressful time. It motivated him to find ways to help families that had a child undergoing medical treatment far from home.
Bill turned his focus to RMH of Springfield and has become one of the House’s most enthusiastic supporters. In his 3 ½ years of involvement, Bill has donated in numerous ways. His support includes donating a pallet of Lego toys to give to families, the catering services of his restaurant, Center Square Grill, during the inaugural Trees of Hope Springfield, and serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the House’s 28th Annual Gala. His biggest impact comes from his restaurant partnership of our Dine & Donate events which began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and have successfully raised funds for families for the past 3 years.
“I love working with the team at the House. I think of myself as being at their disposal for whatever they need. Without the House, these families couldn’t get the treatment they need for their children. It’s important to me to know that we’re helping families like my own, but who aren’t as fortunate to be near their homes.”