Berkshires Effort Seeks to Aid One Fund, Connect Community

Businesses participating in the B4B effort will display a sticker to let customers know.

ADAMS, Mass. — An effort to link the eastern and western ends of the state is also hoping to connect the north and south ends of the county.

B4B, or Berkshires 4 Boston, is a countywide coalition spearheaded by Fidel Moreno of Healing Winds in Lenox to aid in fundraising for One Fund Boston. The fund was created to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

During the month of June, participating businesses and others will commit to donate 4 percent of their sales — for a day, a weekend, the entire month — to One Fund. It will be on the businesses or cultural venues to ensure the money gets to the foundation. Those participating will have a B4B sticker posted at their location.

The kickoff will be June 1 with an afternoon of speakers and music at Bowe Field.

The effort was announced on Friday night at the Adams-Anthony Center, the former Firehouse Cafe, with representatives from various organizations and local officials in attendance.

Morena said he was particularly struck by the death of 8-year-old Martin Richard in the bombings because it brought back memories of his little brother, who was killed in an accident at age 9.

"I was thinking about this family and about what they must be going through," he said. Knowing about some of the One Fund efforts in the county, and after talking with like-minded people, the B4B initiative was created.

Growing up in his home village in northern Mexico, people looked out for one another and made sure those in need were taken care of. He's hoping to tap into that type of community spirit in the Berkshires to break down the distance and mindset that often separates the county.

"Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy to forget these boundaries are manmade," he said.

Right, R. Sabrina Lewis  dedicates a song to young victim Martin; below,  people  were urged to get to know each other.

The Adams Agricultural Fair Committee is donating use of the fairgrounds at Bowe Field for the kickoff. The advertising will be word of mouth to encourage people to talk about the event.

In the spirit of promoting peace and community, the concert  from noon to 6 is free and open to the public as well as to nonprofit, civic groups and musicians who would like to set up booths. The only request is to bring a nonperishable food item for the Northern Berkshire Interfaith's Friendship Center and used clothing in good condition for the Adams center.

The kickoff features Michael Johnson of Pathways to Peace, a United Nations program; vocalist Mary Verdi and Berkshire Idol semi-finalist R. Sabrina Lewis, and band Karma Fund.

"We put our passion to a purpose," said Karma Fund's Jon Blond, who performed with Friday with his flute. Blond, of Stockbridge, described the band's original compositions as "indie rock with a purpose."

Newly elected Selectman Joseph Nowak, a founder of the Agricultural Fair, felt the coalition will be a benefit locally.

"I really believe this will turn out to be something good for the town of Adams."

Also participating in the community coalition will be the Berkshire County Chapter of the Red Cross, the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Coalition, the Adams-Anthony Center, the Adams Youth Center, International Institute for Cooperation and Development, Pathways to Peace, Humanity in Concert, Jim's Pizza, Vintage Traveler, Riverhill Pottery Gallery, Healing Winds, The Range, Eagle Street Music, Miss Adams Diner, Adams Agricultural Fair Committee, town of Adams, Always Young and Ezios Bistro.

For more information, contact Moreno at fmoreno@cybermesa.com.

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