Pittsfield Parade Committee Turns Focus to 2024

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Parade Committee has begun looking to raise funds to make next year's parade possible. 
 
"We have much to do as a committee to complete work on this year's parade, but we've accomplished our monetary goals to meet our budget which we intend to keep as creative as we intend it to be as you'll see," said Committee Chairman Pete Marchetti.  
 
The Committee requires more than $100,000 to put the show together with balloons, bands and professional consulting fees being the leading line items.  
 
According to Marchetti, "balloons, which includes helium, and bands which require shelter, are our most requested units." 
 
Other expenses include insurance, banners, the booklet, supplies, etc.
                
"We don't want to relinquish control from our all-volunteer committee to a municipal led organization," said Marchetti, adding, "if that were to happen, we'd be relinquishing creative control which comes from direct response to the public."  
 
Donations may be made through the website, pittsfieldparade.com, mailed to PO Box 1738 Pittsfield MA 01202. Donations of $25 or more will receive a free parade poster.  
 
The committee welcomes but must approve fund raising events.  Ideas are welcome. One may call the parade headquarters at 413-447-7763 with questions, ideas or concerns or attend the remaining meetings for this year's parade at the Polish Falcons on Belair Ave in Pittsfield at 7pm on 5/17 and 31; 6/7, 14 and 28.
 

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200 Pittsfield Students Walk for Men's Mental Health

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Reader's note: This article discusses suicide and mental illness.
 


Judy and Paul Coty, left, their daughter Veronica, Matt Capeless and PHS Principal Maggie Esko at the Movember gathering.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Around 200 Taconic and Pittsfield high school students marched downtown to support men's health on Friday.

The third annual "Move for Movember" walk-a-thon raised money for mental health, as more than three of four suicides that occur in the United States are by men and boys. It also supported the Aaron T. Coty Memorial Scholarship, which honors a beloved student who died in 2015 after silently struggling with mental illness.

Each walker paid a $5 registration fee and was asked to raise an additional $20.

"I can still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that Aaron died by suicide on Sept. 17, 2015. I could not believe it. It did not make sense. I didn't want to believe it but it was real, and it was something that we had to get through together," said Matt Capeless, Movember community ambassador and physical education and wellness teacher at Taconic High School.

"My friends and I struggled thinking about what we missed or what we could have done differently. We cried together and shared memories of the good times we had together. One thing was certain, we cannot go back in time."

Coty's family has attended suicide prevention walks for nine years and walked for Movember for the last three years.

"I wish Aaron had gotten help because we had no idea that he was struggling," his mother, Judy Coty, said.

"He was always smiling and happy and had tons of friends and was very outgoing and personable."

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