NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Both Berkshire County's cities will recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday with service-oriented activities. 

 

The Northern Berkshire Day of Service will be will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Venable Hall gym on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus. Sponsored by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, volunteer activities will run from 9 to noon followed by a celebratory lunch at 12:30 in Venable gym.

 

In Pittsfield, the day will start off with a breakfast and keynote speech by Charles Redd, Berkshire Health System's diversity, equity and inclusion officer and a BCC alum, from 8 to 9 at First United Methodist Church. This will be followed volunteer activities and a luncheon at 12:30 back at the church. The day of service is being sponsored by Berkshire Community College and the Berkshire chapter of the NAACP. 

 

Volunteers in North Berkshire will choose from more than 10 sites and activities, including Louison House, Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, weatherization for homes, food collection sites, and projects in the gym. There will be projects suitable for all ages and abilities. This year, the CHP Mobile Health Van will be on site offering free balance checks and vaccinations.

 

The luncheon and community celebration will include enjoy local entertainment and speakers, and the presentation of the annual Peacemaker Award to Mary Lou Accetta, who has advocated for the community since her first days as a volunteer at Mary Jezyk Sunshine Park at the age of 13. 

 

Acetta has been a member of the North Adams School Committee, a director of inclusive education and curriculum and special education coordinator in the North Adams Public Schools, director of student services at McCann Technical School and an instructor in the education department at MCLA. 

 

It has been three years since residents last gathered in person for the annual Day of Service to celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

 

Volunteers can register here or by call NBCC at 413-663-7588.