Downtown Pittsfield Sets Holiday Celebration & Fundraiser

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield Inc. will hold its first annual Holiday Celebration and Fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Berkshire Museum, located at 39 South St.

The festive celebration will include a preview of Berkshire Museum's annual Festival of Trees event, music by the Andy Wrba (of Barefoot Truth) Jazz Trio and a raffle for a chance to win tickets to Berkshire Theatre Group's annual holiday production of "A Christmas Carol."
 
Tickets to the fundraiser include a complimentary glass of wine or champagne, a prime rib carving station, an assortment of passed hors d'oeuvres including shrimp skewers, crab cakes, chicken quesadillas, desserts and a cash bar.
 
Downtown Pittsfield also encourages local businesses to bring their employees to the celebration in lieu of hosting a company party, to celebrate with family, friends and colleagues from across the city.
 
"As an organization which represents a diverse mix of retailers, businesses and large companies, we thought this would be a great way to celebrate the holidays with our partners and the community," said Pam Tobin, executive director of Downtown Pittsfield. Funds raised from the event will go toward developing a comprehensive downtown guide featuring retailers, businesses, events, cultural attractions, parking and more.       
 
The Person of the Year award will also be handed out at the celebration and fundraiser event.
 
Tickets are $25 each or two for $40 for member company employees and $30 each or two for $50 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased at www.downtownpittsfield.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BCC Wins Grant for New Automatic External Defibrillator

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $2,326 grant, funded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device. 
 
The grant specifically covers a device for use inside one of BCC's security vehicles for easy access when traversing the campus.  
 
In total, the Commonwealth awarded more than $165,000 in grant funding to 58 municipalities,
13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits to purchase AEDs for emergency response vehicles. The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies, when every second matters.  
 
An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.  
 
"Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we're equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients," said Governor Maura Healey. "This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event."  
 
The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).  
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