Nominations Sought For Fall Neighborlies

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is accepting nominations for the Fall Neighborlies, a community recognition award night. The Neighborlies will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue, located at 53 Lois St.
 
The nbCC's Northern Berkshire Neighbors welcomes residents to consider people of all ages who performed acts of kindness or made a positive difference in their lives, in their neighborhoods or in their community. Anyone may nominate individuals or groups in one or more of the following categories: neighborly acts, young people taking the lead, business/agency support, or groups pulling together on a project.
 
You may nominate a person or group through the nbCC website. Applications can also be picked up and mailed to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Office at 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams, MA, 01247. Nominations can also be called in to 413-663-7588 or emailed to arodgers@nbccoalition.org. Send the name(s), address and phone and email of those nominated and those making the nomination, indication of the category and a brief description of the reason. 
 
Each nominee will receive an invitation to the event, where Mayor Richard Alcombright and Coalition staff will present certificates of appreciation. This is a great way to thank individuals who help make a positive difference and honor the ordinary acts of kindness and cooperation that happen every day in our communities. Nominations will be accepted through Octo. 15. 
 
For more information, call the Coalition at 413-663-7588.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Community Hero: Noelle Howland

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month. 
 
The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month.
 
Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023. 
 
The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes. 
 
Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road. 
 
"I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said. 
 
When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission. 
 
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