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Volunteers Pitch in to Help Bartlett Ave. Fire Victims

By Joe Durwin
Special to iBerkshires
09:00AM / Monday, January 30, 2012

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The fire at the Elmwood Court mansion displaced more 40 tenants last May.

Update Feb. 2: Some $377 was raised at the new benefit and was deposited into a new fund at Pittsfield Coop. Word has been circulated around that others can make contributions to this if they wish. A list of tenants was obtained and provided to them for eventual division of the proceeds. Tenants should be aware this will not amount to a very large amount per apartment; also, Pittsfield Coop is merely the holder of this fund and cannot answer any other questions about this situation. — Joe Durwin

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Numerous individuals from around the community have pooled their efforts and talents to help victims of a devastating fire which displaced more than 40 people last May, at a benefit to be held at Chameleons nightclub Tuesday night.

This new benefit follows the revelation earlier this month that tenants of the historic Elmwood Court building never received any funds or donation items from an earlier fundraiser held at the nightclub soon after the fire. After more tenants came forward voicing concerns in the wake of this story, local music promoter Andy Poncherello, who frequently hosts events at Chameleons, spearheaded efforts to put together a second benefit.

A plethora of entertainers have donated their time to perform Tuesday, including DJ Chuck Wright, comedians Carlos Garcia and Ralph Dafunnyman, and musical acts Stairwell Sea, Noumenon, Jess Hume, Dead Radio Rebels, and Suffer Die.

"This being such a small community, I feel that it's important that we all help out where we're most able," said Jon Hed of Noumenon. "I can't say I personally know any of the victims of last year's fire, but it shouldn't really matter. Next time it could be me, it could be you, it could be any of us, and I'd like to think the community can pull together to support victims of any tragedy like this."

Solo rocker Jess Hume echoed this desire to help out. "After being unable to make if to the first benefit, I kept up with the follow-up stories, and when I read about what happened to the donations, and what the tenants actually ended up getting, it broke my lil' punk rock heart. So when I was asked to play I said 'heck yes!' "

Another local samaritan, Sara Clement, has secured donated items for a Chinese raffle, including small items of art and prints from local artists Colleen Surprise Jones, Tracy Levesque, Katy Levesque, as well as an exclusive signed preview copy of local author Gabriel Squailia's new novel "Dead Boys." A 50/50 raffle will also be held in conjunction, so attendees will have the opportunity to win a straight cash prize as well.

A fund for the proceeds has been established at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, and donations can also be made directly at any Pittsfield Co-op location for anyone who wishes to contribute but cannot attend the event. An official list of tenants living at that address at the time of the fire has been obtained and provided for the administering of the funds raised.

Lack of reliable information about who lived there was one reason cited by the nightclub owners as to why funds from the previous benefit did not reach the fire victims. Richard Altman, owner of Cavalier Management, said he was not aware of the previous benefit, but was happy to supply a list of tenants, as he said he had when approached by the Red Cross just following the fire.

The event will run from 7 to 11:30 at Chameleons, located at 1350 East St. A suggested donation of $10 will be accepted at the door.

Tags: benefit, fire,

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Why would anyone attend a benefit to be held at an establishment that failed to do what was expected previously? I'd rather hand $10 to one of the victims of the fire.
from: curious	on: 01-30-2012 11:39AM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (4)

So because there is a new benefit, Chameleon's is off the hook from the last "benefit," there should be some sort of investigation into what happened to the funds from the last one.
from: Wait a second	on: 01-30-2012 02:18PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (3)

Maybe it's being held at the same place for a reason you do not know, because you do not know the whole story? I prefer to show my ignorance of a subject by asking questions.
from: a	on: 01-30-2012 06:03PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

Its proof positive that these people are just looking for another handout. The woman who was posting to Chameleons thought she was entitled to $100 or more-REALLY lets be totally greedy here, "victims". I would commend them for trying to help again. I wonder if we ask them how many people have come to get their share of what they offered up-what the answer would be. Its quite pathetic that the idiots in this town cant accept a little inch without feeling they deserve a mile. And that one "victim" was putting in an order for brand new high end merchandise. I read that there were only like 20 people were there and only 500 was raised , plus no tenant list was given. Lets not comment before we know all the facts-and lets try to be gracious not greedy!
from: ignoranceisbliss	on: 01-30-2012 07:41PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (19)

that 1 or 2 people may have been a little graspy does not reflect on all the tenants nor where the dough from the first benefit went because if you've been following the stories the salvation army says they never got it, red cross says they never got it and oh look now building owners says he never even heard about a first benefit! Wow, sounds like they tried real hard to get the money to the tenants. this place got some free pr in their first month for appearing to help, and then apparently pocketed the proceeds! those shifting the blame to people who are probably still upset from losing everything they owned is disturbing
from: followthemoney	on: 01-30-2012 10:15PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (3)
Editor: There is no proof that anyone pocketed anything. Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army have people who were not there at the time of the fire. Obviously something went wrong and Chameleon's is trying to make good. It's held other fundraisers since that have been successful.
I Agree (5) - I Disagree (0)

In regards to gnoranceisbliss, First of all my mother is who you are speaking of as the "victim". She was one of MANY who lost EVERYTHING in the fire including all of her kitchen goods that you are speaking of. She has been a life- long cook for a religous temple for over 30 years and her joy in life is cooking for other people. She is on disabilty and cannot work so she cooks. The comments about her asking for "high end goods" is ridiculous based on the fact that she was asking for baking utencils (not high end) because someone asked her what she needed. This is her passion in life so why not ask for a specific item when being asked. As far as the comment about her asking for $100 or more...Chameleons had an obligation to follow through with the first event. Raising money for victims seems a bit more important than using the victims and their loss for their new business and getting the word out about a new "night club" in Pittsfield. The first event was clearly this. I was deleted off of their FB page because I was very persistent to where the funds were. They clearly were trying to sweep it under the rug and forget about it. They stated ( almost a year later) that there was $13.50 for each victim, that isn't enough gas money to pick it up and that is what they wanted the victims to do. Why not mail it to them as many of these people had no where to go so many had to move out of state for help (such as my mother). There is still no mention of the raffle and the items that were up for auction. When you hold and event for victims and they are anticipating on some help they want to hear about results and the outcome. If there was little raised in the first one then they should have let them know then. Yet they were vicimized again, they were used (in my eyes). Not only are they vicitms but it doesn't stop with them, it affects many in the family. My whole childhood is erased as far as photos go. I have no photos growing up, my mother kept since I was born. Obviously you have no heart for people. I would assume you have never dealt with tragedy nor someone trying to take advantage of a situation and only making "good" when called out! Your comments disgust me!
from: SDiNicola	on: 02-02-2012 09:20AM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (0)

$377 was raised at the new benefit and was deposited into a new fund at Pittsfield Coop. Word has been circulated around that others can make contributions to this if they wish. A list of tenants was obtained and provided to them for eventual division of the proceeds. Tenants should be aware this will not amount to a very large amount per apartment; also, Pittsfield Coop is merely the holder of this fund and cannot answer any other questions about this situation.
from: Joe	on: 02-06-2012 02:09PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Former residents need to stop harassing the Co-op Bank expecting there to be "thousands of dollars" raised at this second benefit. $377 was deposited in the bank as a result of the door and Chinese raffle. The harassment of bank representatives over the phone as to why there is only $377 in the account and where the money from the first benefit is will a) result in the Co-op giving serious consideration into ever opening up one of these accounts again and b) cause ill feelings among residents in the city. The event was well promoted online and through other media outlets, but at the event I personally met two former residents. Yes, some have moved on, however I would've hoped there would've been more promotion from the former residents as it was an event for them, not for me, not for the club and not for the band. Yes, the first event, which neither I nor the Co-op Bank was involved in was mishandled. These are not easy things to organize and while it's no excuse, it's quite understandable that things can go wrong. The club pledged to make good on the money lost and offered the former residents and even split of the previous event's door. The fund should really be open for a few months in order for those not in the area to send in a donation so the fund can grow to a larger sum than it currently is.
from: Andy	on: 02-06-2012 02:14PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (7)