image description
Mike Bradley speaks with a child on behalf of Santa.
image description
Bill and Cori Knowles were dressed for the occasion.
image description
Amanda O'Connor and Dennis Burke man the lines.
image description
Shaun McHugh deep in conversation with a child.
image description
Rita Gomes and Cal Joppreu volunteered for phone duty.
image description
Becky Manship and Joe Cimini look through the applications.

Santa Claus Calls Pittsfield Children

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
Christina Barrett and Michael Wynn gave up a few hours of their Wednesday night to help Santa Claus get in touch with local children.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Jolly old Saint Nick made phone calls to 80 local children Wednesday night in preparation for his overnight journey next week.
 
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make more than 156 phone calls this year — enlisting volunteers from the city to help out. Eleven volunteers joined him Wednesday night and another 10 from the Knights of Columbus will join him on Thursday.
 
"It is city worker volunteers and community volunteers," said Becky Manship, recreation activities coordinator. "It is one of the fun programs."
 
Wednesday's group of volunteers were a mix of people who've participated before along with some new elves.
 
The city has recruited the Wednesday night group for the last four years after the Elks Club had to stop the program. The Elks still helped out on Wednesday nights and the Knights of Columbus will be there on Thursday night.
 
Each year, parents have an opportunity to sign their kids up to receive the call and share some information about the child's wants or ask Santa to give them a message. Last year, 184 children were called.
 
"We send it home through Pittsfield Public Schools. And the forms are available online or in the clerk's office," Manship said.

Tags: holiday story,   volunteers,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories