COVID-19 Fund Partners Award Grants to 'Help the Helpers'

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A Becket Athenaeum staff member reads to children. The Athenaeum was one of 23 organizations to receive funding
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Northern Berkshire United Way, and Williamstown Community Chest agreed to Help the Helpers with grants from the Berkshire County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. 
 
“These Help the Helpers grants will ensure that over 380 frontline professionals in nonprofits across Berkshire County are seen, appreciated, and celebrated,” said Berkshire United Way President and CEO Tom Bernard. “The proposals we received were well thought out and focused on the unique needs of each organization and team. I’m grateful to our partners who stepped up and recognized the value and impact of each proposal we received.”
 
Local nonprofits were invited to apply for 16 grants of $500 each to be used toward staff well-being activities. After seeing 23 applications come in, the partners stepped up to fund the gap and award grants for all 23 proposals, ranging from projects focused on team building and staff recognition to wellness and other activities.
 
In total $11,500 was given out. Click here to see how the grants are being used.
 
Earlier this year, Berkshire United Way and Northern Berkshire United Way awarded eight childcare programs $500 each to show appreciation for their staff, thanks to funding from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley through the Childcare Relief Fund. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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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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