Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Names New Executive Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has named Elizabeth "Betsy" Andrus as executive director starting on Jan. 3.

"The entire Board of Directors joins me in enthusiastically welcoming Betsy. I know the Chamber will definitely benefit from her proven organizational and leadership skills as evidenced by her extraordinary work in making the year-long Great Barrington 250th Anniversary such an outstanding success," said Chamber President Kathleen M. McCormick."Her knowledge of our local business, professional and political institutions will ensure that the Chamber will be in exceptionally good hands. Add to this the fact that Betsy is a genuinely warm and giving person with incredible energy and enthusiasm, and we are confident that 2012 will be an exciting and eventful year for the Chamber and its members.”

Prior to joining the chamber, Andrus was owner of Betz Design and Consulting, an event coordinating, design and consulting firm. She was also a showroom designer and manager of S&A Supply, Inc. in Great Barrington, where she helped to grow sales of over $2.5 million in annual income. In addition to her work as co-chair of the Great Barrington 250th Committee, Andrus is a board member of the Berkshire Co-op Market and has chaired fund raising events for St. Mary's School in Lee.

Andrus will be on board at the chamber and available to its members to help direct the organization in its mission to lead the economic growth and vitality of the towns that comprise the southern Berkshires and to support the civic, social and natural resources of the region.

For more on the Chamber, visit www.southernberkshirechamber.com
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

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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