Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield.Berkshire United Way’s annual “Day of Caring" is something of a misnomer given that the time put in by volunteers throughout the community extends far beyond a day’s work. This year’s project, taken on with the help of donated materials, expertise and volunteer hours from SABIC, Jack Geary Builders, JRL Construction and LP Adams, was to build 50 book houses and fill them with children’s reading material. Each book house can hold up to 100 books, and, placed in 24 high-traffic areas throughout Berkshire County, will encourage literacy and learning through the summer and beyond. (As of 2014, only 54 percent of Berkshire County third graders were reading proficiently.) The houses were installed on Friday, May 20 and a celebratory “Movers + Shakers" dance party was held that evening at Hancock Shaker Village. Plentiful hors d’oeuvres from Savory Harvest, and milkshakes and ice cream cones from The Scoop provided sustenance so the many revelers could dance all night to tunes from DJ BFG and enjoy pop-up performances throughout the evening.
Gala co-chairs Pittsfield Police Chief Mike Wynn and Christina Barrett; Brenda Petell, vice president of SABIC's volunteer board, with Brenda Burdick.
Nicole Eigbrett, Arsema Abegaz and Lindsay Christie; Julia Erickson and Andy Potter enjoy ice cream courtesy of The Scoop in Lenox.
Tim Weisman, Howie Marshall and Alex Reczkowski; Leslie and Matt Cormier with Kim Robertson.
Many of the staff members and supporters that make Berkshire United Way an integral part of the community.
Emily Sadlowski and her mother, Ann Marie Sadlowski; Melissa and John Bissell with Vannessa Slaughter, Adam Hinds and Manfred Slaughter. The Slaughters are the director and coordinator of the Pittsfield YMCA's Marilyn Hamilton Literacy-Sports Program.
Tim Kiely, Jen Glockner and Lori Gazzillo; Lori Kays and Mass. State Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier.
Brooks Sherman and Katherine O'Neil; Liz Newton, coordinator of the book house installation, with co-workers Jonah Sykes, Erin Breen and Jennifer Kerwood.
Norah Bresnahan, John Bresnahan and Casey DiCicco; one of the beautiful book houses that have gone up throughout the county.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
