Downing Collects Two Boxes For Toys For Tots

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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State Sen. Benjamin Downing at his office during an open house to collect donations for Toys for Tots.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Sen. Benjamin Downing believes he may have collected the most gifts for Toys For Tots than he has in the last three years. But, will it be enough to top Mayor Daniel Bianchi's office?

The senator held an open house-type collection at his office Thursday night and as the end approached, two boxes were overflowing with gifts.

"This looks like more than last year," Downing said overlooking the boxes.

A range of people stopped by with arms full of gifts. But, just around the corner, Bianchi's office got a jump start earlier this year with the donation of a bicycle.


Downing joked about the friendly competition and said Bianchi has the edge because the mayor has more employees.

But, he said that as community leaders from Adams and North Adams strolled through the doors with their own gifts — so it is safe to say that Downing has an edge in the region.

Who will collect more donations? We don't know yet. But does it really matter? Maybe not for the two officials but it will hopefully brighten Christmas Day for some needy local children.

The program is an official activity of the Marine Corps Reserve. Created by a reservist in 1947 to collect toys for needy children, the program has since distributed more than 469 million toys to some 216 million children. State police will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for the program at the Cheshire and Lee barracks through Saturday.


Tags: benefit,   children,   donations,   holiday story,   

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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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.

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