Volunteers needed for the Y's Tie Dye Dash

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Family YMCA is seeking volunteers for the Pittsfield Family YMCA’s Tie Dye Dash: 5K Color Run, set for Saturday, May 10, at Onota Lake's Burbank Park.

People are needed to help set up the course from 6:30-8 a.m.; assist with registration and pack pick-up from 6:30-8 a.m.; be a directional flagger for runners from 7 to 11 a.m.; man a water station from 7 to 11 a.m.; clean up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and photograph the event from 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers should come prepared for warm weather, wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle. All volunteers will receive a YMCA T-shirt the day of the event. Sign up by contacting Kaylyn Kern at 413-499-7650, ext. 33, or kkern@pittsfieldfamilyymca.org.

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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