courtesy Berkshire United Way (Third Thursday Fill the BearCat)
PITTSFIELD, Mass.—Berkshire United Way has partnered with community members and local organizations to donate school supplies to 14 schools across the county.
For the last few days Berkshire United Way and its partners, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lenco Armored Vehicles, and Kiwanis Club of South County, have been dropping the supplies off at the schools.
Director of Volunteer Engagement Brenda Petell said the cost of going back to school is expensive. From school clothes to haircuts, to materials, the cost adds up and is burdensome for some families, she said.
Rebecca Beron, Greylock Federal Credit Union branch manager for the Allendale branch echoed these remarks adding that Berkshire United Way is an important part of the community because of its access.
"They get access to everybody, it doesn't matter who you are. United Way is there to help in any kind of capacity. So, the fact that they took this initiative and ran with it, I think is great," Beron said.
Items have been donated to all Pittsfield Public Schools and three schools in South County.
Prior to putting a request for donations out, Berkshire United Way worked with Deputy Superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools Marisa Mendoza to generate a list of needed school supplies.
"So we decided that instead of doing a backpack giveaway that can be duplicative with all the organizations, we wanted to give school supplies directly to the schools because they know what they need, and they know who needs it," Petell said.
Every elementary school received three large tote bags filled with school supplies including pencils, markers, folders, disinfectant wipes, and notebooks, among other necessities.
The middle school and high schools received four boxes of supplies which also included copy paper from MacFarlane Office Products.
In addition to supplies, the endeavor raised over $5,000 which was split evenly between the schools.
Williams Elementary School Principal Kerry Light also noted the high cost of purchasing school supplies but highlighted how one of the things she loves about this area is community involvement.
"I think, back in the day, the school supply lists were very minimal. I look at them now and they're extravagant, and if you have three kids, the amount of money that families are spending on school supplies is a lot year after year after year," Light said.
"So it's just very helpful to be able to have this added resource to be able to offer to any and all students who are in need."
Whatever supplies that the school doesn't use at the beginning of the year will be given to students later in the year when they become needed again.
Petell hopes this initiative becomes a pilot program for the nonprofit which they can build off of so that they can raise awareness that schools know what they need best.
"And if we could get back to schools having the supplies that all the kids need when they show up on their first day it would really create an equitable playing field," Petell said.
For the last month, the United Way has advertised its initiative to aid schools using online resources and accepted item and cash donations at in-person drop-off centers in Pittsfield and Berkshire South Regional Community Center.
To make the fundraising effort as accessible as possible, the organization also accepted donations via an Amazon Wish List, so items ordered by community members could be shipped directly to Berkshire United Way's office.
"Anytime there's a specific need, especially for our youth, our community really rallies to make sure our youth are supported," Petell said.
United Way organizations across the country held "Stuff the Bus" where people fill a bus with school supplies which are then donated.
Taking inspiration from these other United Way's across the country, the nonprofit partnered with Lenco Armored Vehicles to organize a "Fill the Bearcat" opportunity on Aug. 17. Third Thursday. BearCat is the name of the armored car that Lenco produces in Pittsfield.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
State Launches Workforce Innovation Tour at Interprint
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Secretary of Labor Lauren Jones starts her statewide jobs tour at Interprint in Pittsfield on Monday. The colors in the signage were inspired by the Eras Tour.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development kicked off its "revolutionary" workforce tour at Interprint and learned some about decor printing.
On Monday, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched the "MassHire 250 Workforce Innovation Tour" to celebrate local and regional workforce innovations across the state. From now until July, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones will visit each of the state's 16 MassHire regional workforce boards to hear about partnerships that fuel and sustain sectors.
"Berkshire companies are innovative in creating new possibilities," said David Moresi, chair of the Berkshire Workforce Board. "Technology and innovation are part of the Berkshires' industrious past, thriving present, and limitless potential."
In celebration of Interprint's 40th year in the city, state and local officials toured the surface design and printing facility and even participated in an ink matching exercise. With around 200 employees, the company sells its decorative papers and films worldwide and has seen several expansions.
"As I often say, workforce development takes collaboration and the network of organizations, community leaders, and workforce partners represented here demonstrates the partnerships that drive outcomes from career coaching and job training to employment," Jones said.
"That was demonstrated certainly by hearing some of the highlights shared during our tour of the partnership with MassHire and the employment and professional development outcomes that we see at a company like Interprint."
In a week, Massachusetts will join five other states in celebrating Patriots Day, commemorating the inaugural battles of the American Revolutionary War: Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy (Arlington). The workforce tour builds on the launch of Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America's independence and Massachusetts' revolutionary legacy.
Jones noted the Taylor Swift's Eras Tour inspired the signage.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development kicked off its "revolutionary" workforce tour at Interprint and learned some about decor printing. click for more
This letter establishes a formal deadline for submitting a detailed plan to address the dust nuisance and notes that failure to comply with this requirement could lead to financial penalties and potential legal action.
click for more
For every question, the candidates will each have up to 1 1/2 minutes to answer, followed by 30 seconds each to rebut or follow up. The moderator can allow for further debate on a particular question if needed.
click for more
The mission of Hancock Shaker Village is to preserve the history of the Shakers and to educate the public about them, and the baby animals are a big contributor to that.
click for more