Berkshire United Way kicks off 2022-2023 Campaign Year

08:32AM / Tuesday, October 25, 2022Print Story | Email Story

At Interprint’s workplace campaign kickoff, employees could enter a raffle and play games to support Berkshire United Way, while BUW’s Brenda Petell, right, assisted with campaign pledges.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way (BUW) launched its 2022-2023 fundraising campaign to support 40 programs and more than 10,000 neighbors in need.

BUW workplace campaign partners engage their employees with recreational opportunities, programs, and recognition events that connect philanthropy and camaraderie. The team at BUW works with nearly 140 workplace campaigns to offer simple, efficient, and enjoyable ways for employees to make a difference in the community, according to a press release.

"Workplace campaigns are the backbone of BUW's fundraising. Each contribution enables us to invest in our partner organizations and support the incredible work happening every day to improve the quality of life here in Berkshire County," said Brenda Petell, BUW director of volunteer engagement.

David Hall, founding partner and president of CompuWorks, said the company prides itself on having 100 percent participation in Berkshire United Way's workplace campaign.

"We make sure new employees are aware of this during their orientation. It's our way of introducing and connecting them to the community. We have a lot of young professionals and it's important to get them involved," he said. "We are committed to supporting the community and leading by example, and contributing through the workplace campaign is a good way to get that spark going."

"Running a workplace campaign requires tremendous commitment from leadership, tireless dedication from volunteer employee campaign coordinators, and inspiriting generosity from the workforce," added BUW President and CEO Tom Bernard. "We ask a lot from our campaign partners because we know the need in our community is great and that the most vulnerable members of our community are facing challenges and inequities."

Continuing a partnership with Mill Town, anyone who pledges through their workplace campaign this year will be entered for a chance to win a Berkshire Experience at Gateways Inn in Lenox. To learn how to establish a workplace campaign, contact Pamela Knisley at pknisley@berkshireunitedway.org or (413) 442-6948 x15. Learn more about BUW’s work in the community at www.berkshireunitedway.org.

Tags: Berkshire United Way,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Breathing Room

0% APY for 12 months balance transfer offer. Apply today! Click to learn more. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Hopes for Continued Talks on Mall Sale

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:41PM / Wednesday, November 11, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board is optimistic that talks for the Berkshire Mall sale will continue.

Chair Deborah Maynard and Vice Chair Juli Baker were to meet with mall owner JMJ Holdings, the Baker Hill Road District, and proposed buyer Cypress Equities on Tuesday to discuss next steps. As of Wednesday, iBerkshires had received a "we are optimistic" from Maynard on the talks. The Berkshire Eagle reported a response from a Cypress representative saying talks will continue.

Baker had updated the Select Board on Monday about the status of the sale and the efforts being undertaken by the renamed Baker Hill Business District.

Cypress Equities pulled out of a purchase-and sale-agreement with mall owner JMJ last week for the following reasons.

Not enough water service/pressure to the property to support redevelopment without constructing costly water tanks.
The current septic system and former treatment facility is not acceptable for a project of the scale and magnitude proposed.
There is existing asbestos and bad soil from the treatment system that needs to be remediated off site.
And the current structure and tax assessment of the Baker Hill Road District.

Baker has been working with what is now being called the Baker Hill Business District and said she and the district members are happy that Cypress has decided to leave the door open to more discussions and that they have been working hard to try and address the company's needs.

Last month, the town had asked state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to support the state Department of Transportation taking over the Connector Road, funding for a mall connection to Pittsfield's wastewater treatment plant and a connection to the town's water main.

Baker said an amendment has been drafted to cap the district's taxes to not grow more than 2.5 percent a year. She noted that, historically, taxes have not grown by more than one percent per year, so it won't be difficult to meet that cap.

View Full Story