ADAMS, Mass. — Community members and local businesses came together for a community service day Thursday to scrape and repaint the softball building and shelter at Russell Field.

 

Corey Bishop, co-owner of Bishop West Real Estate, said after Atlantis Equipment donated and installed a backdrop fence on the softball field, he thought there was more to be done.

 

"They bought the backdrop and I was standing out there while they were installing it," Bishop said. "I looked around and we had lights and a lit scoreboard but our buildings were deplorable. It was embarrassing." 

 

Bishop, whose daughter plays softball, took the first step and visited Home Depot in Pittsfield to see if it could help. He said he explained some of the field’s needs and management offered to send in the Home Depot Community Team.

 

"Not only did they bring all of the supplies, but they brought five people with them to get the project done," Bishop said. 

 

Bishop said from there he only wanted to make the project bigger so asked Adams Community Bank for help. He said the bank sent five employees and he brought in a few employees to help out from Bishop West Real Estate. 

.

He added that coaches, players, parents and even the Youth Center got involved.

 

The team started at 9 a.m. and spent the day scraping and painting the facilities.

 

"We went down and in one day with about 20 of us we turned the whole thing out," he said. "It was great, and it was just amazing."

 

Bishop wanted to feed the workforce and that community businesses came through again. He said Dunkin' Donuts, Walmart, Big Y, Dollar General and McDonalds all kicked in some food to keep the workers fed. 

 

"We were able to tap the local people for the smaller stuff and have Home Depot as a large sponsor," he said. "Bishop West Real Estate kind of spearheaded it and everyone else just wanted to be part of it and help out."

 

Bishop said the real estate company owns a lot of property in Adams and saw the project as a way to give back to the community that has helped it.

 

"For me, it is all about the kids, and I know a lot of kids in town between softball and basketball," Bishop said. "It’s our way of giving back to the community that has really given a lot to us."  

 

Peter West, co-owner of Bishop West Real Estate agreed.

 

"This is a basic community effort to improve a public part of town," said West. "It’s a way of giving back."