Jacklyn Drozd said $2,200 worth of gift cards and cash donations were collected.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Reid Middle School student Maya Duhamel had an early basketball game and hadn't had a chance to get dinner.
On her way to the game, she stopped at Dunkin' Donuts intent to buy hash browns.
But at the last minute, she changed her mind.
"Instead of buying hash browns, I bought four gift cards with it," Duhamel said.
Those gift cards have since been donated to Berkshire Children and Families to give out to teens in the city who may not be able to go to Dunkin' Donuts whenever they please.
The student council had organized what they called "Teens on the Go." They partnered with Ayelada Yogurt to collect as many $5 or $10 gift cards as possible to give to others this holiday season.
"For Christmas, I am so grateful for every little thing I get and I just wanted other kids to be grateful and thankful, too," Duhamel said.
Student Anthony Telladira had taken a lead role on the project. He challenged his classmates to make small sacrifices for the betterment of others. He could have eaten at McDonald's one day but instead went in to buy gift cards instead.
"I'm lucky because I have the opportunity to get McDonald's if I want some. Other kids aren't as lucky so it gives you a good feeling when you can give up a trip you would take yourself to someone else who doesn't have that opportunity every day," Telladira said.
He did the same with a trip to Ayelada. He said his classmates had sacrificed trips to the movies or other restaurants.
Student Jacklyn Drozd, who also took on a lead role, said business like Ayelada and Molari joined in the effort. Other in the community donated cash. In total, some $2,200 worth of gift cards were donated to BCF on Tuesday.
"Local businesses and friends were happy to donate and student council members reached into their pockets and hearts to sacrifice," Drozd said. "It is a great feeling to know that we are making a difference."
While Drozd thanked Ayelada owners Lisa and Jim Cervone for their support in matching the student donations, the Cervones said they consider it an honor that the students would have them be part of it.
"I think it is really amazing that you have such a sense of community at your age," Jim Cervone told the students.
Erin Sullivan from Berkshire Children and Families said there are dozens of toy drives around this time of year to help the younger children in the city. But teens are often left out. When Reid offered to help with a project this year, the idea came of teens helping other teens by giving gift cards to places they all enjoy.
"What you do really matters. We will be giving them out starting tomorrow morning. They will be going out all over Pittsfield," Sullivan said.
Ayelada has partnered with the Reid student council for three years on a holiday project. Last year, they collected more than 200 blankets and stuffed animals to donate to Berkshire Children and Families.
Reid Principal Linda Whitacre is in awe of the students and the project.
"I'm always surprised by the projects they take on. It takes their time, dedication, commitment, and follow through. They do all of that and are giving up themselves to give to others," Whitacre said.
She said this particular project helps the students learn "21st-century skills" on being able to talk with others, address needs, and get involved in the community.
"They are learning how their education ties into what they are doing in their own lives and the lives of others," Whitacre said.
And what the students did reflect well on the Reid Middle School community, she said.
"We are all a community and our job is to increase awareness of different issues in our schoolwide community and the community at large and actively look to advocate for others," Whitacre said.
For Telladira, it was worth it.
"It is a good gift for the holidays. It is important to give back to kids who aren't as fortunate as you. It gives you a really good feeling when you do," Telladira said. "I feel good because I know we are helping other kids."
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Two Men Found Guilty of Marijuana Trafficking
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, May 6, Yebin Mai, 32 of Staten Island, NY and Dem Wu, age 52 of Staten Island, NY, were found guilty by jury of their peers in Berkshire Superior Court.
Yebin Mai was found guilty of two charges: Marijuana Trafficking in 100 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds and Witness Intimidation. Dem Wu was found guilty of Marijuana Trafficking in 100 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds.
According to a report, on July 30, 2020, State Police responded to a request for assistance from the Eversource Electric Company. The emergency dispatcher stated that two Eversource linemen were attempting to fix an electrical problem when they had a confrontation with individuals at 72 Jackson Road, Savoy. The residence belonged to Bin Huang after he purchased it in 2017 for $200,000 cash.
When state troopers arrived, the linemen stated that they responded to a report from a resident at 72 Jackson Road, Savoy claiming that power was fluctuating. When the linemen arrived at the house, they observed severely damaged wires and insulators leading from the roadside poles to the residence. When the Eversource linemen approached the house a man came out to meet them. The man, later identified as Yebin Mai, spoke limited English; therefore, communication between the Eversource linemen and resident became difficult. The linemen tried to explain that they would need to turn the power off to conduct a safety check of the electric meter and surrounding electrical connections. Mai became agitated. He handed the linemen an envelope filled with money later determined to be $600. The linemen attempted to return the envelope multiple times, but Mai would not take it. The linemen decided to leave the property. They called the police and waited for them to arrive, stated a report.
A trooper and Eversource supervisor arrived on the road at the end of 72 Jackson Road's driveway. A short time later, Mai drove down the driveway and attempted to leave in a pick-up truck with New York plates. There were two other passengers in the truck, including Dem Wu.
The trooper instructed Mai to stop and turn off the truck which he obeyed. All the individuals returned to the residence so the linemen could complete their inspection.
In a police report, the following items were observed at and around the house:
4 separate electrical meters in poorly constructed boxes on the side of the house
Some melted wires and metal around the meter boxes (believed to be due to an excessive amount of energy being drawn through the wires)
Evidence of a small fire around one of the meter boxes
A smell of fresh grown marijuana (which grew once power was cut to the house and fans in the residence stopped running)
The sound of multiple fans inside the residence with no visible air ventilation system on the outside of the house
Windows with curtains drawn and boarded shut
A backyard covered in debris from a renovation, green planning pots, and large florescent light fixtures
Ring door cameras
A small path in the woods that ended in a pile of used potting soil and roots and stalks of freshly harvested marijuana plants
Additionally, Eversource reported that the monthly electric bill for 72 Jackson Road was approximately $10,000 per month, much higher than the average homeowner's bill.
The individuals on the property were questioned and ultimately allowed to leave. On July 31, 2020, Massachusetts State Police, including the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney's Office, and a member of the DEA arrived at 72 Jackson Road to execute a search warrant.
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The seasonal road closed because of flooding caused by what was initially thought to be from a beaver dam that was located on the Pittsfield stretch.
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Ken Sagendorph, a former firefighter and emergency technician, says his goal is to improve communication between the Fire District, residents, town, and department if elected to the Board of Water Commissioners. click for more