Stop & Shop Donates to Healthy Pittsfield Partnership

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In honor of its 100th anniversary celebration, a team from Stop & Shop New England Division presented members of the Healthy Pittsfield Partnership with a donation of $1,000.

The donation is one of 100 given to community-based programs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut as part of Stop & Shop’s 100 Days of Giving program.

Healthy Pittsfield was nominated and selected for its collaborative efforts to improve the health and quality of life of Pittsfield residents and workforce.

The partnership is coordinated by the Pittsfield Health department and Board of Health.

 

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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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