PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cop on Top will return to the roof of the local Walmart on Dec. 1.
In a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, law enforcement officers from throughout the county will be camp out on the roof Walmart in the Berkshire Crossings shopping plaza. The officers will stay there until the goal of $55,000 is reached.
There will be food, prize raffles, and giveaways in the parking lot during the event. There will also be numerous police vehicles on display.
"The event will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, with the Pittsfield Fire Department hosting the first brave group of officers on the roof and local Special Olympic athletes will light the ceremonial Special Olympic cauldron that will burn throughout the event," reads a release sent out by Pittsfield Police Investigator John Bassi.
The event is in its ninth year as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Program. In the last five years, Bassi said local officers have raised more than $500,000 for Special Olympics through a series of events. Cop on Top is the organization's longest standing program to be launched by local officers and it led police to add more events throughout the year.
"The Berkshire County LETR Program is the highest grossing fundraising program in the state of Massachusetts," Bassi said.
The money goes to Special Olympics Massachusetts and allows some 600 athletes from Berkshire County to participate at no cost because of the fundraising efforts.
In March, the Law Enforcement Torch Run's polar plunge will return. Hardy area residents will take a dip in the icy cold waters of Onota Lake to raise another $100 each for the program. The organization added a super plunge option so those who want to raise $1,000 can take a plunge every hour for 24 hours.
The super plungers will start on Saturday, March 30. The polar plungers will take their dip on Sunday, March 31.
Those are the two largest events for the organization but it sprinkles a number of other fundraisers throughout the year.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.
"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."
The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.
Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."
"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."
The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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