Bart Raser from Carr Hardware and Jason McCandless Superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Carr Hardware's "Round-up for the Schools" campaign donated over $8,500 in personal protective equipment to three local school districts.
"We are a community business that believes in giving back, it's just part of our core culture," President of Carr Hardware Bart Raser said. "Our kids and schools need our help more than ever and school safety is paramount. We are thrilled to be in a position to do our part and appreciative of the generosity of our customers who supported our teachers and our students."
Tuesday, Carr Hardware representatives made the rounds and delivered PPE to three local school districts: North Adams Public Schools, Lee Public Schools and Pittsfield Public Schools.
Deliveries included masks, sanitizer and commercial disinfectant sprayers
"We are so thankful to our community partners at Carr Hardware for supporting our schools." North Adams Superintendent Barbara Malkas said.
School district's throughout the Commonwealth must adhere to strict guidelines in regard to COVID-19 to allow in-person education. This includes the use of masks, constant cleaning, and available handwashing stations and hand sanitizer.
"The Round-Up Campaign that Carr Hardware engaged in this year was amazing," Lee Superintendent Michael Richard said. "The support dedicated to our community, and others in the area, is remarkable. The efforts of Carr Hardware is what distinguishes their stores from others; they truly care about the communities that they serve. Our students, staff, and families will all benefit from this extraordinary donation. Thank you."
The campaign started at the end of August and Carr customers were given the option to round-up their purchases to the nearest dollar and Carr would match those dollars 100 percent. Carr Hardware also had change collection jars stationed at all locations for customers to donate
"The Pittsfield Public Schools are so grateful to our neighbors at Carr Hardware for supporting our schools in yet another way through the Round-Up Program," Pittsfield Superintendent Jason McCandless said. "Carr Hardware has been there for the Pittsfield Public Schools and its students in so many ways over the decades, and we thank the Raser family and the whole Carr Hardware family for once again being there for children of Pittsfield."
Carr Hardware is now working on plans to hold another campaign in November.
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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes From Pittsfield
Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Pittsfield.
The City of Pittsfield has confirmed two isolations at the Pittsfield-Richmond town line on Route 41 and the other at Garland Avenue.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
At the time, there are no confirmed human cases of WNV, but residents are encouraged to take the following actions:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all your windows and doors.
While the City of Pittsfield and Berkshire County Mosquito Control project continue to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, locally we are taking the following actions: larvicide application, conducting targeted education programs, distribution of fact sheets on WNV and on reducing exposure to mosquitos and treating catch basins.
Additional information about WNV and reports on current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.
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