image description — Nonprofit staff and board members of Berkshire United Way celebrate at the annual Greylock Society reception.

Berkshire United Way Announces Award Recipients, Honors Supporters

11:54AM / Monday, July 24, 2023Print Story | Email Story

Award recipients Rosemary and Larry Harnett, center, with United Way President Thomas Bernard and board Chair Laurie Gallagher.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 100 guests joined Berkshire United Way at Bousquet Mountain Lodge last week to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy and to honor Rosemary and Larry Harnett, longtime Berkshire United Way supporters, with the Ruth P. and Nicholas Boraski Leaders in Philanthropy Award.

The event also announced Berkshire United Way's 2023-2024 grant award recipients. With the support of more than 3,000 donors, Berkshire United Way awarded just more than $1 million in grants to 28 organizations, including five new first-time grant recipients. This investment will enable its partners to serve the community during the funding year from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

"At Berkshire United Way, our ability to convene, collaborate, and create solutions is our superpower," said Berkshire United Way President and CEO Tom Bernard. "It's how we help bring visibility to community needs and work to create community-based solutions, and it's something we are able to do thanks to our many generous donors and supporters. As Larry Harnett reminded us, it's work we are called to do and to support because so often we can see ourselves in the needs of others."

As part of this year's application process, BUW piloted a general operating support model that allowed agencies the option to apply for a grant to support their mission any way they see fit, while still working within one of BUW's three priority areas: early childhood development, positive youth development, or economic prosperity.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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