Market 32 Holds Annual Pet Food and Supply Drive

07:57AM / Saturday, April 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32 and Price Chopper supermarkets are conducting their annual pet food and supply drive from April 1 to April 30 to benefit local animal welfare organizations.

Customers are invited to purchase and donate items by placing them in specially marked shopping carts located at the front of each store.

According to Pam Cerrone, director of community relations at Market 32 and Price Chopper, animal shelters offer essential services such as food, medical care, and shelter for animals awaiting adoption. The collection aims to provide these organizations with necessary supplies. Cerrone stated that all donations will remain within the local areas where they are collected.

Stores in New York’s Capital Region will collect donations for the Capital District Humane Association. Other Market 32 and Price Chopper locations will support a local animal welfare agency specific to each store’s community, with the beneficiary identified on the designated collection carts.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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