Green Named Chairman of NBUW Annual Campaign

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Steve Green
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire United Way has named one of the area's best-known community activists as its chairman for this year's fund drive chairman.

Steve Green, a professor of sociology who retired as academic vice president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts last year, will be heading the 2010-11 campaign.

"I am so pleased and excited that Steve has taken on the leadership role in our campaign," said NBUW Executive Director Joseph W. McGovern. "I look forward to working with a community leader who has decades of experience of making a difference in the lives of people in Northern Berkshire county."

Green has been involved in the Northern Berkshire United way for 30 years and recently was chairman of the agency's Red Feather Society.

He steps into the role during a tough time for the local agency, which provides funding for a wide variety of social and human-service organizations helping North County residents. The last two years have seen the campaign drop below its goals because of the financial collapse that began in 2008.

Maureen Baran, president of NBUW's board, said, "I could not be happier to have Steve at the helm for the upcoming campaign. His dedication to the NBUW is inspiring to all of the volunteers who work so hard to make each year a success."

Green will outline the campaign's strategy at Northern Berkshire United Way's annual meeting and campaign kickoff breakfast at the Williams Inn in Williamstown on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 7:45.

"The NBUW does much to ensure that the quality of life for everyone in this region will be improved," said Green. "I am honored to be one of the hundreds of volunteers helping the NBUW reach its goal."


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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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