Local Chapter Organizes In The Berkshires As "911" For Babies

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Understanding the stress economically challenged families face, Newborns in Need is located in cites and towns across the United States and foster community support of the newborn. Providing hand crafted, donated clothing and other essential items to premature and full term babies, Newborns In Need is a valued vehicle for communities to serve their tiniest citizen.

Newborns in Need now have a local chapter to help premature babies, newborns and their families in Western Massachusetts. "We believe this organization will make a difference in our area," says Donna Page, President of the Western Mass Chapter. "It can be very stressful for a family when a baby is born prematurely and often creates an unexpected financial burden to families and caregivers."

We exist because Newborns in Need, made up of volunteers across the United States, is dedicated to making sure that the teen mom, the stressed family, the mother overwhelmed in sadness is supported in the first moments of the child's life. The "911" for babies, Newborns In Need is the organization mobilized across the United States to offer baby items to those families that need help. Raising awareness, opening new chapters, Newborns In Need believes that communities can and will help each other if given a way to do so. Whether crafted with love by the hands of a volunteer or donated by others who understand that we need to take care of each other, Newborns In Need has positioned itself as the first response for all babies in crisis.

At this time the Western Mass chapter is seeking volunteers to knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and package store bought items that are warm, soft, and appropriately sized to be provided completely free of charge to hospitals, crisis centers, shelters, and pregnancy help centers as well as other social service agencies across Western Massachusetts.

Local board members include Heather Frost, Williamstown, Maureen Moore, North Adams and Lori Spencer, Florida, MA. For more information contact: Donna Page by phone at 413-884-6069 or email: westernmass@newbornsinneed.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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