Berkshire United Way Names Annual Donor Car Winner

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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United Way CEO Kristine Hazzard, winner Darlene Pshenishny, Gary Johnson, owner of The Johnson Dealership, and Greylock Federal Credit Union CEO Marilyn Sperling on Monday morning.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two city businesses teamed up to give away a car (or cash) to a Berkshire United Way donor.

Darlene Pshenishny, employed at Berkshire Health Systems, opted to take $10,000 instead of a new car to put toward bills on the new house she and her husband recently built.

 Pshenishny was one of thousands across the county to donate to the United Way and was the lucky winner of the drawing. She was presented her winnings Monday morning.

The annual giveaway — now in its 13th year — is intended to help encourage donations for the service organization. Greylock Federal Credit Union and The Johnson Dealership teamed up to provide in the winnings.

The car has driven more than 1,300 miles across the county to events and workplaces since July.



"Anyone who fills out a pledge card has a chance," Berkshire United Way CEO Kristine Hazzard said.

This year, the organization has raised about $2 million of its $2.7 million goal with five months to go. An important part of its annual fundraising is through employee donations made directly from their paychecks through their employers.

United Way provides funding to nearly 50 agencies and programs throughout the county, from the Lee Youth Association to the Railroad Street Youth Project to Barrington Stage Company to the Berkshire Immigrant Center to United Cerebral Palsy of the Berkshires.

Hazzard joined Greylock President Marilyn Sperling and Johnson Dealership owner Gary Johnson to award Pshenishny her winnings.


Tags: Berkshire United Way,   fundraiser,   giveaway,   

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Monument Mountain Scholarships & Awards for 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were awarded to the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4.

Joseph & Dolores Aberdale Memorial Scholarship: Caroline Becker Adams Community Bank Scholarships: Juan Cambi, Harmony Estrada
Murphy Leary American Legion Post 298 Scholarships: Estelle Baden, Kathryn Barquinero, Caroline Becker, Edward Castille, Lotus Cohen, Mabel Cooney, Reese Duchesne, Griffin Touponce
Robert Annelli Family Scholarships: Cole Kennedy, Logan Pease Austen Riggs/Erikson Institute Evelyn Stefansson Nef Scholarship: Eleanor Konrad
Jeffrey Baer Memorial Scholarships: Donimic Calautti, Griffin Touponce, Tyler Campbell
Michelle Banach Memorial Scholarship: Sadie Suters
William Bannon Memorial Scholarship: Luna Reynolds
Edward Barrett Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Harvey Ehrbar
Becket Scholarship: Lily Davis
Berkshire Hills Education Association Future Educator Scholarships: Remi Perreault, Brooke Decker
The Shannon McAllister Brownson 'Good Life' Scholarships: Mason Buffoni, Tyler Campbell, Oliver Curtis
Caligari Family Scholarship: Kestrel Duke
Chang Chavkin Scholarships: Gianna Beacco, Ember Raifstanger, Jonah Salzmann
CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Owen Heck, Mabel Cooney
Rosalie Conte Scholarships: Ember Raifstanger, Estelle Baden, Kestrel Duke, Liam Smith, Sadie Honig-Briggs, Luka Kononenko, Francesca Stanmeyer
Community Television of the Southern Berkshires Scholarship: Ember Raifstanger
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