Biz Briefs: Dinner Raises Money to Support WTBR in Pittsfield| 11:51AM / Wednesday, March 06, 2019 | |
 WTBR-FM is a non-commercial radio station that is managed and operated by Pittsfield Community Television, with a broadcast license held by the Pittsfield Public Schools. |
Mike Filpi of Meatball Mike's Catering and the Pittsfield Elks organized the event, which brought more than 50 people to the Elks Lodge on Union Street in Pittsfield
Radio benefit
A benefit dinner in support of the operations of Pittsfield Community Radio, WTBR-FM, raised $500 for the station on Saturday, March 2. Mike Filpi of Meatball Mike's Catering and the Pittsfield Elks organized the event, which brought more than 50 people to the Elks Lodge on Union Street in Pittsfield. The money will be used to help with the costs of moving the station from Taconic High School to the PCTV studios, and rebuilding the studio and transmitter facilities.
The annual benefit dinner, consisting of pasta e fagioli, antipasto salad, bread, rum cake and coffee, supports a different charitable cause each year. Last year, the dinner helped support the Park of Honor display at Park Square.
WTBR-FM is a non-commercial radio station that is managed and operated by Pittsfield Community Television, with a broadcast license held by the Pittsfield Public Schools. All programming on the station is produced by community volunteers. In addition to replacing older, worn equipment during the move to its new home, PCTV has also committed resources to its regular operating costs, with the expectation that the station will someday be self-supporting.
CATA sponsorship
October Mountain Financial Advisors has joined Community Access to the Arts to sponsor CATA's "Art on Tour" exhibits, marking their third year as sponsors. The exhibits bring original paintings and drawings by CATA artists with disabilities to galleries, businesses and community sites across the region. With October Mountain's support, CATA has expanded Art on Tour exhibits and launched popular "Meet the Artist" events shining a spotlight on the talents of artists with disabilities.
CATA's "Art on Tour" exhibits give artists with disabilities the opportunity to receive public recognition for their talents and help community members expand their perceptions of art and disability. All work is professionally matted and framed. Sales of artwork support commissions for the individual artists. Past exhibits have taken place at Hudson Hall, The Mount, Six Depot, Kimball Farms, Berkshire Museum, Lauren Clark Fine Art, and Pittsfield City Hall. Forthcoming "Art on Tour" exhibits include "Making Waves" at the Good Purpose Gallery in Lee (Feb. 27 through April 16) and Tunnel City at Mass MoCA (April 5 through June 30).
Now in its 26th year, Community Access to the Arts (CATA) nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the visual and performing arts. Programs take place in partnership with 49 residences, day programs, schools, and community settings, serving 700 people with disabilities throughout Berkshire and Columbia counties. To learn more about CATA programs and events, visit the website.
Elder Services bag recipient
Elder Services of Berkshire County, a nonprofit committed to providing Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life, has been selected as a beneficiary of the Big Y Community Bag Program for the month of March.
The Big Y Community Bag Program, which launched in January 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities shoppers live and work in. The program features the reusable Community Bag with a special tag attached to it that allows customers to direct a donation to a non-profit of their choice upon purchase.
Elder Services was selected as the March beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Big Y located at 200 West Street, Pittsfield. Elder Services will receive a $1 donation every time a reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during March, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.
Greylock marks Women's Day
Greylock Federal Credit Union will celebrate International Women's Day on Friday, March 8. Greylock’s leadership philosophy is to promote gender equity in the workplace and in the community. Greylock has made it a priority to support efforts that encourage female empowerment with programs such as the WAM Theater, Berkshire Business and Professional Women, the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center. Greylock also hosts an internal Women's Leadership Committee to inform and guide management around career opportunities and professional collaboration, work life balance, corporate culture, mentor opportunities, and philanthropic vision.
Greylock invites its employees and members to wear red on Friday in honor of efforts around the world, but especially in our community, to support equality and leadership opportunities for women. Women who visit a Greylock branch will be given a red carnation as a token of Greylock’s appreciation.
There will also be a series of Days of Caring projects in which Greylock employees will donate their time and services to organizations such as Youth Center, Inc. in Adams, Berkshire Community Action Council, the Dalton CRA, Construct Inc., BRIDGE, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, and the Elizabeth Freeman Center. Greylock staff will also be giving carnations to every woman in a number of area nursing homes on International Women's Day.
It Takes A Village
The Village Closet is dealing with a massive increase in donations, due to the "Marie Kondo effect" and the popularity of decluttering that swept the nation in the new year.
It Takes a Village, a nonprofit located in Cummington, Mass., is facing a difficult, yet delightful problem -- too many families are signing up for support, and too many people are donating baby gear. The organization provides free postpartum support to families in Western Mass, through a Home Visit Program, The Village Closet donation site, and a series of parent support groups and workshops.
In 2018, It Takes a Village supported more than 1,700 families, and 2019 is already gearing up to surpass that number. Additionally, like many donation sites and thrift stores, The Village Closet is dealing with a massive increase in donations, due to the "Marie Kondo effect" and the popularity of decluttering that swept the nation in the new year. In fact, they had to temporarily ask its visitors to refrain from donating any more baby clothing and gear.
It Takes a Village relies on volunteers for both the Village Closet and its Home Visit Program, which is why they are hosting a special Volunteer Information and Training Meeting on Sunday, March 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the St. John's Corner House in Ashfield, Mass. New and prospective volunteers will gather with seasoned volunteers to learn about the It Takes a Village Home Visit Program and discuss what new families really need during the postpartum period. The It Takes a Village Home Visit Program matches any family with a baby under the age of 1 year living in the Hilltowns with a volunteer who visits the family weekly and helps with things like dishes, laundry, or simply holding the baby so the parent can take a shower.
The organization is also seeking volunteers to help process donations at The Village Closet, their donation and distribution site located in the Berkshire Trail Elementary School at 2 Main St. in Cummington. The Village Closet offers free maternity, infant, and children's clothing and gear to anyone in the community. They accept clothing in sizes premie through kids size 12 that is clean and in good condition. They also take baby gear like high chairs, strollers, and swings, linens like sheets and blankets, feeding supplies, cloth and disposable diapers, and children's books and toys. Volunteers are needed to help process the donations, checking the clothing and separating them by size. The Village Closet is open every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and one evening each month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Interested volunteers can email or call, or just show up during open hours. For more informatio, visit the website or call 413-650-3640.
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