NBUW's Spirit of Caring Awards Being Held in Person

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way is hosting the 4th annual Spirit of Caring Awards on Thursday, June 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 3 West Events in the Norad Mill. 

This will be the first time since 2019 that the event will be held in person. This event honors individuals for their service to Northern Berkshire United Way, its network and the overall Northern Berkshire Community.

Adams Community Bank is a platinum sponsor of the event and Greylock Federal Credit Union is the gold sponsor.  Silver sponsors are George Apkin & Sons, Specialty Minerals, Moresi & Associates and Wal-Mart.

Amy Giroux will be presented with the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award, named after the former Northern Berkshire United Way executive director. Giroux is a longtime volunteer in the community and a former board president of Northern Berkshire United Way. During her many years of work in the community, she has been an advocate for creating learning and recreational opportunities for children of all ages.

Stacy Parsons will be presented the Spirit of the Future Award. Stacy works out of North Adams Public Schools as the North Berkshire School Housing Partnership coordinator and state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education McKinney-Vento regional liaison. Her work focuses on supporting schools and community organizations in meeting the educational stability needs of highly mobile students. Parson works tirelessly on behalf of the community and served as the volunteer coordinator at the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in North Adams during the pandemic.

Alex Daugherty will be presented the Spirit of the Community Award. Daugherty is a longtime adult probation officer through Northern Berkshire District Court who has given back to his community in so many ways through his volunteer service. At the core of his volunteerism is youth development and support for individuals who have overcome challenges and are trying to make a fresh start

Adams Community Bank will be recognized as NBUW's Campaign of the Year for the generous employee and corporate support.

NBUW supports 19 member agencies that provide health, education and financial stability programs in our service area.  We are committed to providing funding in the area of safety-net services.

For more information, email Patti Messina at pmessina@nbunitedway.org or call the office at 413-663-9062. Tickets can be purchased here.  

Local Chef, North Adams Police Team Up to Deliver Thanksgiving Meals

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Det. Stephanie Mirante and Chris Bonnivier go over their list of addresses. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three dozen local families will be feasting this Thanksgiving thanks to a local chef with some help from the Police Department.

 

Chris Bonnivier said he and his wife, Linda, have been providing 20 to 25 residents in tough financial circumstance with the ingredients for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for a dozen years — doing the shopping, packing and delivery. 

 

"We got to the point, we have grandchildren now," he said. "We want to help. We're doing this by the grace of God, I'm a true believer, that we've been blessed and we're doing this on our own with his help." 

 

But the effort had become wearing ... until a few more hands volunteered to help. 

 

On Tuesday, Police Chief Mark Bailey and others gathered at 23 Eagle St. to pack bags with turkey and all the fixings. 

 

It started with a call to MaryAnn King, a dispatcher, about the annual public safety toy drive. Members of the Police and Fire Departments and Northern Berkshire EMS do a toy drive at Walmart then wrap and deliver hundreds of presents.

 

King's been leading that effort for years and last year provided to toys to nearly 200 children. She'd contacted Bonnivier about matching some funds for a pallet of toys; Bonnivier responded by donating the total cost of the pallet and asking for helping hands in return.