Hope Tree Lights Up Williamstown Motel
 A 40-foot spruce in the Williamstown Motel's courtyard has been lit as a symbol of hope. People in need can drop off a 'wish' in one boxes under it.  |
A year ago, when Spice Root owners Tarun and Simmi Narula bought the Williamstown Motel, it was Simmi's dream to light the 80-foot spruce — the taller of two trees in the courtyard.
"We wanted to add value to Simmi's dream," said her husband. And one day, when Simmi Narula and her friend Elena Hamilton were standing in the courtyard, Hamilton conceived an idea that would give the tree, as her friend envisioned it, special meaning. She recalled saying to Narula, "it can stand for hope. It's something we can do, if you'd like to."
(The Narulas have been active with community groups, including Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.)
Wanting to give hope to people in need not only during the holiday season but throughout the year, the Narulas, Hamilton and Larry Nellis partnered to found Berkshire Hope Partners, a way for businesses and individuals to come together.
"The goal of the project is families helping other families," Hamilton said. "We wish to unite and strengthen our community."
Simmi Narula wasn't able to light the tree of her dream; instead its 40-foot partner became the symbol this year for the volunteer project. People are invited to place their "cares" beneath the tree, depositing them in "wish boxes" there and in the motel's office. Berkshire Hope Partners, with the help of the community, will do its best to answer the need for basic essentials such as food and clothing in time for the holiday.
"We hope to fulfill the wishes by Dec. 23," said Hamilton
Not all needs can be met by what we can buy or hold in our hands. And as a nurse at Sweet Book Care Centers, Narula knows that many residents have needs that are in the heart.
"They do not have any visitors, and there are seniors in the community who do not have anyone," she said. "You can bring a smile to their faces by sitting down with them and having a heart-to-heart."
Narula intends to visit as many of those people as possible in the holiday season, bringing her 7 l/2-year-old daughter, Ria, with her. "I want to instill in her that the holiday is not only about gifts. There are other ways of celebrating — giving your time not just material things. Raising someone's spirits."
 Photos courtesy Tarun Narula
The Berkshire Hope Partners will try to fulfill 'wishes' (basic needs) dropped in the boxes under the tree or the one in the motel lobby. |
In the office, children chased away the outdoor chill that clung to them by sitting in front of the fireplace as they licked candy canes and munched chocolate-chip cookies.
Radio host Mike Garland, bundled in hat and coat, was accompanied by the "lovely Becky," whom he often mentions on WNAW's "The Morning Show." "Umm, that was good," Garland said, after savoring some hot chocolate.
"The refreshments were donated by local stores," said Joan Dever, a Berkshire Hope Partner volunteer. When Dever, a retired attorney, moved from Boston to Williamstown about a year ago, she wanted to become involved with community work and is glad she found out about the new group.
Holiday music, such as "Let It Snow" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" filled the air. A heart-shaped plaque hanging on the door leading to a guest room, read: "Welcome From Our Heart And God Bless As You Depart."
When Christina, 14, was asked if she had a holiday wish, she replied, "A good birthday. A good Christmas," and then added, "I was born on Christmas." Christina's friend Sarah Fisk, 13, "wishes someone would find a cure for cancer." Elena Hamilton's daughter, Samana, 13, came to the tree lighting "for the fun."
All the children seemed especially impressed with the 40-foot spruce tree resplendent with blue lights and a red tree topper. They were not aware that the original plan had been to light the 80-footer next to it, but B&B Tree Service of Adams did not have a bucket truck that could reach that high.
Nonetheless, Tarun Narula had only praise for B&B. "They were great," he said, because they generously they gave their time as well as their equipment.
"Now our hope is that next year we will be able to light the 80-foot tree," said Hamilton.
Time will tell if that high hope will happen, but as the late Christopher Reeve once said, "Once you chose hope, anything is possible."
For information on how to become a Berkshire Hope Partner or about the group: hopepartners@yahoo.com, 413-458-0210 or 413-458 -9414.
