'Choose Your Subaru' Raffle Benefiting Homeless Animals

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society and Haddad Subaru have launched their 11th annual "Choose Your Subaru" car raffle. 
 
"We're grateful to have had a partner like Haddad Subaru," said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. "Not only do they help us raise tens of thousands of dollars each year for the car raffle, they underwrite an animal adoption each week for up to $2,600 annually and often choose us as one of their hometown charities in the Subaru Share the Love event. Thanks to them, we've place thousands of homeless animals and have helped thousands more stay in their homes with our community programs."
 
One winner will have their choice of a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Forester Premium or Outback Premium.
 
Tickets are $40 each or three for $100 and are available in Pittsfield at Berkshire Humane Society's main shelter, Wellness Center and Haddad Subaru, in Lanesboro at Baker's Golf Center, in Richmond at Bartlett's Orchard and in Great Barrington at Catwalk Boutique and Purradise. They are also available by calling the shelter at 413-447-7878 extension 131.
 
The raffle is limited to 2,400 tickets. If at least 1,000 tickets are not sold, the raffle will convert to a 50/50 drawing of net proceeds. The winner will be drawn on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 1pm at Haddad Subaru, 652 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
 
"We can't think of a better way to raise money for our furry little four-legged friends" said George Haddad, President of Haddad Auto Group "For 12 years we have made it our mission to do what we can to help John and his team find every shelter pet their well-deserved forever home and we will continue to do so."
 
Berkshire Humane Society has an annual budget of about $2.3 million, touching the lives of more than 2,000 animals each year through adoption and surrender, medical care, spay/neuters, vaccine clinics, a Wellness Center, Pet Food Bank and Family Dog School. The Society's education programs reach hundreds of school children annually and a SafePet Program provides free, temporary pet care for people in crisis.
 
"The animals of our community depend on you," said Perreault. All proceeds benefit homeless animals of the Berkshires. 
 
For more information on the raffle, call 413-447-7878, extension 131. Follow the event on Facebook @BerkshireHumane or check the shelter's website, BerkshireHumane.org for more information.

Tags: Berkshire Humane Society,   

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Housing Planned for Former St. Joe's High School

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nearly a decade after the facility last operated as a high school, the former Saint Joseph's is staged for new life as housing. 

Last week, the Community Development Board determined that subdivision approval was not required for a plan of land the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield submitted for 22 Maplewood Ave.

CT Management Group is under contract to purchase the property for conversion into market-rate housing, developer David Carver confirmed on Monday when contacted by iBerkshires. The closing date and related matters are in process. 

In 2017, the then 120-year-old St. Joseph Central High School ceased operations. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it sheltered people without homes before The Pearl, a 40-bed downtown shelter, was finished a few years ago. 

Brian Koczela of BEK Associates, who submitted the plan on behalf of the diocese, explained to the board that the diocese is conveying out the former St. Joseph's High School. (The bishop is listed as owner on deeds on behalf of the church.)

The high school is comprised of four parcels with different owner in the middle, he said, and they need to be combined for the conveyance. This refers to the transfer and assignment of a property right or interest from one individual or entity to another. 

"At the very southerly end, at the back of the high school, there's a 66-foot-wide strip, I believe, and that strip goes all the way from North Street to Maplewood, and it includes a rectory," Koczela explained.  

"In essence, what we're really doing is just separating out that small parcel from the rectory."

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