Berkshire United Way Names Annual Donor Car Winner

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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United Way CEO Kristine Hazzard, winner Darlene Pshenishny, Gary Johnson, owner of The Johnson Dealership, and Greylock Federal Credit Union CEO Marilyn Sperling on Monday morning.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two city businesses teamed up to give away a car (or cash) to a Berkshire United Way donor.

Darlene Pshenishny, employed at Berkshire Health Systems, opted to take $10,000 instead of a new car to put toward bills on the new house she and her husband recently built.

 Pshenishny was one of thousands across the county to donate to the United Way and was the lucky winner of the drawing. She was presented her winnings Monday morning.

The annual giveaway — now in its 13th year — is intended to help encourage donations for the service organization. Greylock Federal Credit Union and The Johnson Dealership teamed up to provide in the winnings.

The car has driven more than 1,300 miles across the county to events and workplaces since July.



"Anyone who fills out a pledge card has a chance," Berkshire United Way CEO Kristine Hazzard said.

This year, the organization has raised about $2 million of its $2.7 million goal with five months to go. An important part of its annual fundraising is through employee donations made directly from their paychecks through their employers.

United Way provides funding to nearly 50 agencies and programs throughout the county, from the Lee Youth Association to the Railroad Street Youth Project to Barrington Stage Company to the Berkshire Immigrant Center to United Cerebral Palsy of the Berkshires.

Hazzard joined Greylock President Marilyn Sperling and Johnson Dealership owner Gary Johnson to award Pshenishny her winnings.


Tags: Berkshire United Way,   fundraiser,   giveaway,   

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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