NORTH ADAMS — Eight-year-old Jonah Miles of Clarksburg was just trying to emulate his uncle. He didn't expect to be honored for his efforts.
What Jonah did was let his hair grow. Not unusual for a little boy to want to avoid haircuts. But Jonah had a good reason for growing Samson-like locks — he wanted to donate them to cancer patients.
"My uncle had done it so I wanted to do it, too," said Jonah.
"He just thought it would be a nice thing to do," said his mother, Maria Bartini, after Jonah received a Neighborlies award and a pat on his newly shorn head from Mayor John Barrett III.
Twice a year, Northern Berkshire residents are honored for the little and big things they've done to make their community a better place. Known as the Neighborlies, the awards are presented by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition based on nominations of friends and neighbors.
People packed Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams on Tuesday night to honor nearly 100 individuals and more than two dozen businesses for their good works.
Their acts of kindness ranged from working with teens in afterschool programs, helping reduce the pollution, responding to an elderly neighbors calls for help and planting flowers to make the city a prettier place in which to live.
Jonah, nominated by Clarksburg Principal Karen Gallese, was among the youngest recipients; his mom, dad Ron Miles and little sister Elli Anna were there to see him recognized.
There was no particular person or event the sparked Jonah's decision, said his mother, other than her brother's donation. "He just heard about it and thought it would be nice."
So Jonah seems to be following a family tradition; not only did his uncle donate, so did his mother — twice. This last time, she and Jonah grew their hair together to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
The shampoo company accepts a minimum of 8-inch long locks that are used to create free wigs for cancer patients. And 8 inches was about all Jonah could take.
"When it got to be about 8 inches, he was ready for it to be cut," laughed Bartini.
The following are the individuals and businesses recognized with Neighborlies:
Community Recognition Awards are presented to members of the community who are nominated for neighborly acts of kindness, program support from agencies, businesses, churches, etc., for pulling together on projects that benefit others and beautification.
Neighborly Acts/Community Support:
Erica Allen, Matt Baron, Tracy Bassette, Sarah Biagini, William Bruce, Ruth Blodgett, Stewart Burns, Erin Cleary, Howard Cruse, Janet Curran, Jess Dennis, Dan Farrell, Dan Frank, Ruth Gancarz, Morgan Goodwin, Linda Hayer, Melissa James, Misty Keyes, Erin Kungel, Wanda Kieltyka, Madeline King, Ron King, Antoinette Lentine Lily Li, Thelma Margeliz, Paul Marino, Rev Pat McHugh, Jamie Lee McNary, Brooke Mead, Jonah Miles, Laura Nette, Kendell Newman, Rebeca Oleson, Melissa Quirk, Melanie Rancourt, Hannah Randall, Sara Sambrook, Cynthia Saunders, Ed Sedarbaum, Monique Symes, Pete Ticconi, Stephanie Thibert, Sandra Thomas, Dale Waterman, Herb Wilkinson, Derick Wissman, Monica Wissman, Derek Ziter and Tina Ziter
Beautification: Jane Betti
Business/Agency/Church for Program Support:
Atef Jewelry, Berkshire Regional Transit Authority; Cards, Gifts 'N Gadgets; China Buffet; Cup and Saucer; First United Methodist Church of Williamstown; Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires; Harry's Auto; Holiday Inn; Images Cinema; Jack's Hot Dog Stand; McClellands; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Patron of the Arts; MCLA ALANA; Gifts; MCLA cross country team, Mezzie Bistro and Bar; Moulton's Pizzeria; Nail Design; Papa Gino's; Papyri Books; Persnickety Toys; Plaines Bike, Ski and Snowboard; Red Carpet Restaurant; Scarafoni & Associates; Village Pizza; Where'd You Get That?, Whitney's Farm Market and the Women's Exchange Gift Shop.
Pulling Together (groups): Fundraiser for Mitchell Dubuc and family
Businesses, Groups and Organizations: Adams Fire Department, Adams Police, Adams post office staff, Berkshire Lodge of Masons, Catholic Churches of Adams, C.T. Plunkett School, C.T. Plunkett PTG, Daily Grind, Dufour Bus Co., First Congregational Church of Adams, South Adams Savings Bank employees, Leo Club at Hoosac valley High School, McCann School culinary department, North Adams Regional Hospital accounting department staff.
Individuals: Dean Grimes, Al Mendel, Brent Parmenter, Will Parmenter, Leslie and Mike Prudhomme, Ralph Schwarzer and police Sgt. Richard Tarsa.
Williams Big Buddies Program: Bethany Baker, William Bruce, Quinn Brueggeman, Matthew Draheim, Kara Duggan, Jess Freeman, Whitney Kelly, Nick Lebedoff, Zach Miller, Marc Pulde, Jackie Russo, Even Seely, Kate Stephens, Lauren Sinnenbog, Sarah Walmsley, William Whiston, and Sara Wild.
Special: Say It Proud Awards to Ben Shiner and Brandi Therrien
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