With the arrival of the New Year, why not make 2008 the year to truly make a difference?
Whether it's helping the needy or lending a hand to a local arts organization, the Berkshires have plenty of places where the altruistic can use their talents for good. In fact, some nonprofits, like the American Red Cross and the Berkshire Humane Society, rely heavily on volunteers to continue running their operations and are constantly seeking fresh faces to contribute their time to making an impact.
This year, a resolution to actively engage in helping the community may actually become a commitment that changes the lives of others for the better and area organizations are desperately in need of the assistance.
According to Kathleen Phillips, the executive director of the Berkshire Chapter of the Red Cross, the majority of the organization's work force is unpaid, which means nearly 700 jobs are filled by volunteers.
"We depend on volunteers and there's just never enough," said Phillips, noting that there are only 24 people employed by the Red Cross.
Volunteers help run the chapter's daily operations by donating their time to drive patients to doctor's appointments, to work in the donor center or to be a disaster action team member. Phillips also said there is a need for drivers, especially in the winter when many of the regular volunteers are unavailable.
"It's one thing to write a check but it's another to really be here. It's just time and we can work around a busy schedule," said Phillips.
Sandra Thomas, the executive director of Images Cinema in Williamstown, said volunteers are the key to the movie theater's success.
"Volunteers are what keeps us alive," she said.
Images depends on a small staff of volunteers to man the concession stand, distribute the newsletter, collect items from vendors, clean the theater, fix the database, organize events and perform other administrative tasks.
"A lot of organizations in our community do good work and helping out, even if it's only once a week, helps these organizations function and makes the community a better place," said Thomas, who first became involved in the cinema as a Friday night cleaning volunteer.
For Louison House's Executive Director Michael Boland, getting volunteers isn't a problem - it's keeping them that is a concern.
"Sometimes New Year's resolutions go on the back burner. We see an outpouring of volunteers and people interested in helping out around the holidays. I'd like to see that resolve sustained in the other 11 months," Boland said.
Volunteers at the homeless shelter are always willing to take on the dirty tasks, like organizing the donated clothing in the attic or keeping the grounds maintained, but Boland said 2008 will bring a need for more specialized help to take on monitoring the shelter's new play space. Organized through the state's Horizons for Homeless Children program, volunteers will receive the training they need to work with the children who visit Louison House.
"We're really trying to develop a more coordinated effort that makes the best of volunteer time," said Boland. "Volunteering is inspiring because you can immediately see that your efforts produce results. The time you're investing is actually working."
With a waiting list for volunteering at the Berkshire Food Project, Executive Director Valerie Schwarz said she's grateful so many have offered to help prepare and serve meals to their needy Berkshire neighbors.
"It's not only about helping someone else. A lot of times it's fulfilling the need of a volunteer," said Schwarz.
Find Out More
To find out what kind of volunteer work will best suit your time and talents, check out www.BerkshireNonprofits.com. Under "Volunteer Now!" interested parties can browse dozens of Berkshire County organizations that need volunteers to keep their services going.
With categories like "Arts and Culture" and "Sports and Recreation," there's something for everyone. Complete with contact information and requirements, Berkshire Nonprofits is a one-stop shop for prospective volunteers.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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