Giving Tree Campaign Kicks Off on Friday

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management is supporting the 33-year-old "Giving Tree" holiday clothing drive this year with a new publicity campaign urging area residents to help provide warm clothing for local children in need.

The new "Give Back" initiative, highlighting the needs of Berkshire Community Action Council's Elf Holiday Warm Clothing Program, will kick off on Friday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m.  at the program's Giving Tree station near the entrance of JC Penney at the Berkshire Mall.

Rather than "Black Friday," people will be encouraged to recognize "Give Back Friday."

Volunteers, longtime donors and other members of the community will be on hand throughout the day to talk with media and the public about how they can help sponsor children in need of gifts of warm winter clothing during the holiday season.

Berkshire Money Management is sponsoring efforts to raise awareness about the program through marketing efforts encouraging shoppers to give back to their community by reaching out to help just one of the hundreds of disadvantaged children in central Berkshire County in need of new winter coats, hats, shirts and other warm winter clothing.   

For decades, the volunteer Elf Giving Tree drive overseen by the BCAC has been able to find businesses and individuals at all levels to help sponsor thousands of children of income-eligible families locally to receive anonymous gifts of children's winter clothing during the holiday season.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.