Northern Berkshire United Way Raises $570K
  Jack Gould, who was also emcee and technical support at the breakfast, was honored for his service as interim director. Joseph McGovern, left, is the new director. Brosnan, below, is surprised when his name is called. |
The agency's gone through a tough few years that's seen donations drop because of the recession. Once setting sights on upwards of $700,000, the campaign committee was pleased to reach the mark of $570,391.05 for the 2009-10 drive.
It's short of last fall's goal of $625,000 but people have been digging deep to help out, said James Brosnan, chairman of the campaign for the last two years.
"The generosity of people has been terrific considering the economy," he said. "It's a testament to the area's citizens that they want to do something to help support their fellow citizens."
The Northern Berkshire United Way has been supporting family, education and health programs for 70 years through grant writing, the annual fall campaign and some 400 volunteers. It has 23 member agencies, 19 of which were represented at Thursday's breakfast.
Brosnan credited the many volunteers and the members of the cabinet committee for doing the hard work of pounding on doors to ask people to open their wallets.
"People have had to make decisions where in the past, or maybe in the future, they wouldn't necessarily have to do this ... the people who knock on these doors and make the calls are the ones who make us succeed," he said.
Board President Maureen Baran said Brosnan's "drive and tenacity that got us through the tough economic times." So it wasn't hard to select him as this year's Volunteer of the Year, an honor that took him by surprise.
 Mayor Richard Alcombright addresses representatives from 19 of the United Ways' agencies at the Williams Inn. |
Volunteers recognized were Danielle Gonzalez, John Lester, David Bissaillon, Mayor Richard Alcombright (also former chairman of the fund drive), Julie Filkins and Kathy Arabia. The late Michael Bill Boland, longtime Housing Authority director and former North Adams city councilor was also remembered for his good works.
Also thanked were former director James Canavan, who left last year to join Soldier On after steering NBUW through 20 months of economic woes, and board member Jack Gould, a longtime local volunteer who stepped in as interim director. "He was our glue," said Baran.
Gould has stayed on to help new Executive Director Joseph McGovern pick up the reins. McGovern was head of Northern Berkshire YMCA, a United Way agency, until stepping into his new position three weeks ago.
"The 23 agencies the United Way serves reaches out to so many people who have never needed help before and, quite honestly, people who have never asked for help before," said Alcombright. "The Department of Transitional Assistance tell me they are providing food stamps to 1,750 families in North Adams alone ... The need has never been greater.
"Our United Way knows that real and sustained challenges in the community requires more than money," he continued. "Don't just give from the wallet, don't give like many of us do from the heart, this year, give with your head and with your hands."
