Berkshire United Way President and CEO Candace Winkler joins Miraval Berkshires General Manager Vic Cappadona at the gong in the reflection garden at the Lenox resort on Monday, Sept. 21, World Gratitude Day.
Berkshire United Way, Miraval Offer Getaway to Essential Worker
LENOX, Mass. — Berkshire United Way and Miraval Berkshires have teamed up to honor an essential worker or first responder on the front lines of relief efforts in Berkshire County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Berkshire United Way, which has helped provide relief grants to nonprofit organizations helping the most vulnerable populations throughout the pandemic, has created an online nomination form here. Self-nominations will be accepted and individuals may also request a nomination form by emailing info@berkshireunitedway.org.
Nominations are currently open and the deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. Submissions will be pooled together and one recipient will be selected at random. The person selected will receive a four-day, three-night all-expenses-paid wellness getaway for two guests, including food and experiences, at Miraval Berkshires' newly opened resort in Lenox, the former Cranwell. The recipient and their guest must be 18 years or older and the offer is valid for 12 months (black-out dates apply).
"Throughout this pandemic, we have recognized the challenges and triumphs our essential workers have experienced," said Candace Winkler, president and CEO of Berkshire United Way, in a statement. "Today is the perfect day to launch this exciting endeavor to find a well-deserving recipient with this generous offering from Miraval Berkshires. As a new business here, we are happy to partner with them on this effort."
Each year on Sept. 21, the world celebrates the mindful practice of gratitude. Miraval Resorts & Spas' locations in the Berkshires, Miraval Arizona in Tucson and Miraval Austin in Texas held a special sound healing gong ceremony live on Instagram on Monday. This year, Miraval celebrates and honors first responders and essential workers around the world by giving back to those that have supported their communities through COVID-19.
"This Gratitude Day, we want to show our deep appreciation to those who have selflessly given their time, talents and resources to ensure the health and safety of their local communities,” said Susan Santiago, head of Lifestyle & Miraval operations. "We are proud to partner with Berkshire United Way — an esteemed organization whose dedication to building a stronger community deeply resonates with Miraval and its guests — to honor the community's heroic essential workers with the gift of well-being and healing."
In the spirit of gratitude, Miraval Berkshires has also offered a three-day, two-night wellness getaway to incentivize participation in Berkshire United Way's annual campaign for 2020-2021, which includes more than 140 workplaces.
Donors are the backbone of Berkshire United Way's fundraising efforts to support community partners and to respond to emerging needs in times of crisis. Donors have helped BUW improve the quality of life for children, youth and families right here in the Berkshires for 96 years.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
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