NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Brayton Elementary students gifted handmade wreaths to North Adams Commons residents and patients.
The sixth- and seventh-graders brought some holiday cheer to the seniors on Tuesday afternoon with their paper wreaths made from paper-hand cutouts.
Teacher James Holmes said the same group of kids also made the paper chain that adorns the city's main Christmas tree and wanted to do something more.
"When we finished the chain, we threw the idea out there for the kids to see if they wanted to do something for those who may be less fortune at or who may not have a lot of visitors during the holidays," Holmes said. "So, we put together some hand wreaths."
Students went from room to room and gave out wreaths and sang Christmas carols. One resident even had gifts for the students and gave them drawings.
Sixth-grader Skyler Sprague, whom Holmes said was integral in organizing the project, said he felt it was important just to visit the residents at North Adams Commons.
"On Christmas, we are always with our families and there are people that aren't with their families," Sprague said. "I can't imagine what my holiday would be like without my family because friends and family are what makes you happy."
Holmes said he hopes the students can see the "other end of the spectrum" because many of the students do not spend a lot of time around elderly people.
He added that he hopes these community orientated projects instill a sense of altruism in the students.
"We really want them to appreciate this kind of stuff so as they grow up they won't have to think about doing kind things for people," Holmes said. "It will just come naturally."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
North Adams Council Gives Initial OK to Zoning Change
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council wrapped up business in about 30 minutes on Tuesday, moving several ordinance changes forward.
A zoning change that would add a residential property to the commercial zone on State Road was adopted to a second reading but met with some pushback. The Planning Board recommended the change.
The vote was 5-2, with two other councilors abstaining, indicating there may be difficulty reaching a supermajority vote of six for final passage.
Centerville Sticks LLC (Tourists resort) had requested the extension of the Business 2 zone to cover 935 State Road. Centerville had purchased the large single-family home adjacent the resort in 2022.
Ben Svenson, principal of Centerville, had told a joint meeting of the Planning Board and City Council earlier this month that it was a matter of space and safety.
The resort had been growing and an office building across Route 2 was filled up.
"We've had this wonderful opportunity to grow our development company. That's meant we have more office jobs and we filled that building up," he said. "This is really about safety. Getting people across Route 2 is somewhat perilous."
This spring weekend, there are a variety of events in and around the Berkshires, including Spring Celebrations, music, cleanups, and more.
click for more
More than 300 students from area high schools entered their work in 12th annual Teen Invitational at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. click for more
Backed by a $750,000 federal grant for a planning study, North Adams and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art are looking to undo some of that damage.
click for more
"It wasn't 100 percent consistent but I was afforded the opportunity to get to know other people with different religion, beliefs, backgrounds and culture and to be able to embrace that." click for more