National Grid Supports Home Heating and Utility Emergency Aid in Mass

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HICKSVILLE, NY — The National Grid Foundation kicked off its 25th Anniversary with a $550,000 gift in support of three fuel-neutral emergency heating funds in Massachusetts and New York. 
 
The recipient organizations are United Way of Massachusetts Bay, United Way of Long Island and Catholic Charities Diocese of Albany.
 
"Income disruption and financial emergencies can happen to anyone, impacting the ability of individuals and families to pay for their housing, childcare, food and utilities," said Bob Giannino, President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay. "We also know that small amounts of emergency assistance in a time of financial crisis can prevent families from losing their homes, going without heat, experiencing food insecurity or going without other essential needs. We're grateful for the National Grid Foundation and their critical, longstanding partnership that enables United Way to deploy resources swiftly to our network of community-based organizations and to individuals and families throughout our region."
 
This special donation supplements the Foundation's "traditional" annual heating fund grants and combines support of these emergency programs at a record-breaking $1.5 million level; each organization has received $500,000 in support of its heat fund program.
 
"This gift helps celebrate the Foundation's 25 years of service in our communities and highlights our core principle: Giving people the tools they need to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and building stronger communities," said Eileen Cohen, chair of th National Grid Foundation. "As so many are experiencing the rising cost of living, and our neighbors and communities are strained by tough economic times, we are pleased to once again be able to help and support these fuel-neutral emergency heating and utility funds." 
 
This announcement follows multiple statements last year that National Grid has committed to providing millions of dollars in support of existing partners and networks across Massachusetts and New York to help customers and communities meet their needs during this financially challenging time. As part of that, National Grid provided the National Grid Foundation a special donation of $5 million that will broaden and deepen emergency heating programs in the two states. The remaining funding will be gifted to additional organizations over the coming months.

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Humane Society Pups Go Downtown in Forever Home Search

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Simone Olivieri, a canine adoption counselor, and Family Dog School instructor Tricia Phillips say the outing is to raise awareness of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day  and to give Starr and Beethoven a fun outing. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adoptable pups Beethoven and Starr took a stroll down North Street on Tuesday with hopes of finding forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day.

"Pittie smiles" were all around as the 6-year-old siblings sniffed their way down the sidewalk with Berkshire Humane Society staff members. The brindle-coated beauties are cuddle bugs who would like a home — either separate or together — with a comfy couch to lay on and a few good walks a day.

"There are a lot of animals in the shelter right now but there's a lot of dogs," Director of Development and Marketing Nikki Kellogg said.

"People seem to be gravitating towards the cats, there are more cat adoptions so we'd like to get more exposure to the dogs so that people realize that dogs are available for adoption, stop down and see what we have, give a dog a second chance to come home, and just trying to give them exposure and get them out of the shelter for enrichment."

Beethoven, a male, and Starr, a female, are large-sized American pit bull mixes and have been at Berkshire Humane Society since late March. Beethoven could potentially live in a home with another male dog and Starr would do best as the only animal.  

They have lived with children before and could potentially go to a home with kids older than 10.

"They are also good candidates for coming out and bringing everybody and being in this environment away from the shelter because they are so good with people," canine adoption counselor Simone Olivieri said, adding that they have been great with their routine at the shelter.

With a change in diet, their coats have become soft and shiny, the blonder hues highlighted by the sun.

Every day, the lights are dimmed at the facility for an hour and 15 minutes for a nap time when all of the pups are given chew toys and a break from visitors. This has been beneficial for the brother and sister duo.

"The reason is to give them a break so they can rest and nap the same way that toddlers need to nap," Olivieri said.

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