Berkshire Area Health Education Center announced it has teamed with the White House

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Area Health Education Center announced it has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service.

Established in 2003, the Award was created by President George W. Bush to give Presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12-months.

Berkshire Area Health Education Center is one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the President’s Volunteer Service Award and honor the volunteers who strengthen our Nation. As a Certifying Organization for the Award, Berkshire Area Health Education Center is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the Award.

“We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” said Timothy Diehl, Executive Director.  “Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire county volunteers are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a Nation. The Award is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.”


“Even if you’ve never volunteered before, the President’s Volunteer Service Award is within your reach,” Diehl said. “There are so many ways to contribute, and every volunteer hour makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others.  We encourage everyone to get involved and to bring along your family, friends and neighbors.  Together, we can strengthen America – one hour at a time.”

The Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened by President George W. Bush to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation among Americans. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.

For more information contact Berkshire AHEC at 413-447-2417 or find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307..
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Force 16U Defends Home Field with Tourney Title

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Berkshire Force 16U travel softball team Sunday rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull away for an 8-4 win in the championship game of their Battle of the Berkshires tournament at the Doyle Complex.
 
Ava McMahon struck out six and gave up just one run after the first inning as the Force completed a 3-0 run through the playoffs after going 1-2 in pool play.
 
Mollie Crawford, Amelia Polidoro and McMahon each drove in a run in the late rally that finally gave McMahon a little bit of breathing room.
 
The Force jumped on top early with three runs in the top of the first, but the Nor’Easters out of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region responded right away, tying the game.
 
In the second, Amaya Alger (3-for-3) singled, moved up on Mackenzie Biros’ sacrifice bunt and scored on a combination stolen base/errant throw to give the Force a 4-3 lead it never relinquished.
 
But Berkshire missed chances to add to that lead in the third, fourth and fifth, leaving runners in scoring positions in each inning.
 
Meanwhile, McMahon was brilliant in the circle after a rough first inning, striking out six, walking just one and allowing three earned runs in a complete-game effort.
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