Berkshire AHEC Recognizes Mount Everett Volunteers

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire AHEC presented volunteers Eve Kuzmech and Jacqueline Martinez with the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Established in 2003, the award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded 100 hours of volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of certifying organizations participating in the award program, Berkshire AHEC confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

Kuzmech and Martinez, both juniors at Mount Everett Regional School in Sheffield, have completed more than 130 hours of service this year and will be receiving the bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The students participated in Berkshire AHEC’s Youth Health Service Corps, a health careers recruitment program for high school students in the area. Upon completing a health-care curriculum covering such topics as leadership and service learning, health disparities and vulnerable populations, ethical and legal issues, careers, and vitals, the students began their volunteer service working with the school nurse. They completed projects for her as well as conducted service learning projects such as healthy eating and personal hygiene for students of school and Undermountain Elementary, also in Sheffield.

"These recipients of the President's Volunteer Service Award are role models for their community," Sarah Robbins said. Robbins, an AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellow, serves as program coordinator for AHEC's YHSC program. "Eve and Jackie were delights to have in the YHSC and I am very proud of their accomplishments."

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers.

For more information about volunteering with the Youth Health Service Corps, contact Sarah Robbins at 413-997-1112.

Tags: awards,   health,   volunteers,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Town Hall Lift Solutions in Development

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns. 
 
Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.
 
The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours. 
 
Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful. 
 
Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town. 
 
The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office. 
 
A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction. 
 
View Full Story

More Sheffield Stories