Martin Luther King Jr. Day Event
“Community Unity in Action”Two local volunteer groups have come together to support our local Food Banks and Pantries by sponsoring an event on January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King, Jr. day at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Pittsfield from 4 pm to 8 pm. The event will include entertainment by local favorites, a silent art auction, and complimentary refreshments donated by area restaurants.
Volunteers for Change first met in Stockbridge on Dec. 14 to continue to find ways to support Barack Obama’s agenda. The Volunteers for Change group, comprised of people from Great Barrington, Lee, Stockbridge, Pittsfield and Lenox, chose to organize a food drive, and to have it culminate with a celebratory event on MLK Day. Volunteers for Change has since been joined by another local group, called Co-Act: Community Organizing for Action, based in West Stockbridge, which also has as part of its mission the goal of helping Food Banks and Pantries to be able to feed all in need.
We are asking people to please bring non-perishables to donate to the event. We are also looking for volunteers who would like to sign up to help at a local food bank or pantry at least once a month. Besides being very short on foodstuffs, the charity organizations are very short on the volunteer help that allows them to function.
Donations of non-perishables as well as cash donations will be collected to give to four of our local food banks: the Salvation Army in Pittsfield, and the Berkshire Community Action Council food pantries in Gt. Barrington, Pittsfield, and North Adams.
Confirmed performers for the event are:
Between the Banks, a folk-rock band
Andy Kelly, local jazz guitarist and leader of Pittsfield's Sister City Jazz Ambassadors
Jessica Roemischer, pianist/music educator playing a beautiful duet with one of her students from Riverbrook
The Beeline Ramblers, a folk duo
Larry Wallach – piano music by Gershwin and a few tangos
With many other entertainment surprises in store!
Silent ART Auction
With artwork donated by men and women incarcerated in various New England penitentiaries and county jails. They are happy for the opportunity to give, especially to benefit the local food banks. Many of them are all too familiar with food banks from their own lives before incarceration. When offering his two new beautiful drawings, one of the prisoner's, "Alix" said, "I know how it is to be hungry." The art auction will close at 7:30 pm with winners announced at 7:45.
Community Unity in Action event is FREE of charge and family friendly. In addition to the music there will be activities for children, such as juggling lessons by Jeremy Beckett and storytelling by Ruth Drysdale. Please bring non-perishables to the event. We're still seeking donations of refreshments from individuals and local restaurants and inns that can provide snacks & appetizers throughout the event. If you are a business or individual and would like to participate or volunteer in this upcoming community event, please contact Sandra MacDonald at 413-281-4299 or email, sandralmacdonald@gmail.com
