Berkshire Habitat Launches Fundraiser in Memory of Stephen Heller

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity announced a tribute in memory of Stephen Heller.
 
Launched by his sister Elaine Cottle and her family, this initiative celebrates Heller's enduring love for community and craftsmanship by raising funds for a central gazebo at Prosperity Way, Habitat's newest 20-home neighborhood in Housatonic.
 
Heller passed away in 2023 at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy of generosity. A masterful craftsman turned computer programmer, Heller held an admiration for Habitat for Humanity's mission and was particularly drawn to the Housatonic build site near his family home. His values aligned with the core of Habitat's work: dignity, kindness, and the belief in building not only homes—but community.
 
To honor his life, the Heller-Cottle family has partnered with Central Berkshire Habitat to create a gazebo and green gathering space at the heart of Prosperity Way. This central spot will serve as a lasting tribute—where families can gather, children can play, and neighbors can connect.
 
Elaine Cottle will be undertaking a 360-mile memorial cycling journey along the Erie Canal Bikeway, from Albany to Buffalo, beginning June 16 and concluding June 28. Inspired by their shared love of upstate New York and family memories along the canal, Elaine rides in Heller's
honor, with hope in every mile. Community members are invited to join any part of the ride or support the cause with a donation.
 
"Every gift made in Stephen's name is more than a donation—it's a living tribute to a life defined by generosity, love, and a belief in the power of community," said Cottle. "Help us build a place where memories bloom and neighbors thrive, just as Stephen would have wanted."
 
How to Support the Fundraiser Visit: https://donorbox.org/memoryofstephen

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Companion Corner: Fox at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a sweet and energetic dog at the Berkshire Humane Society waiting for his new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Fox is a 3-year-old Pomeranian who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Fox. 

"He's a bundle of joy. He would love a family who's home with him a lot, because he's just, he's very social and wants to be with his people a lot. And he would be fun to bring out and about, bring a lot of places, because he's very happy to go anywhere," she said.

When Fox enters the room he is immediately a puffball of energy that goes around and around the room.

He came to the shelter after his former owner could not take care of him anymore. 

"The owner was just not able to care for him anymore. Had he came in with another dog, Wolf, and she already did find her forever home just last week," said Olivieri. "The two of them were left with a friend of the original owner, and the owner did not come back to pick them up, and the friend had too many animals in the house, and too much going on, and she just couldn't continue to look after them, so they did end up coming to us."

Fox can go home with cats and children but is not recommended to go home with other dogs as he gets too excited.

"He would love a home where people are home quite a bit to give him all the attention that he so desires. He loves kids. He absolutely adores children. So he would like a home with kids to play with. He could live with cats. We are saying that he should not live with other dogs. The only reason is that he gets very humpy, and he does not leave the other dogs alone," she said.

With his energy it is recommended he goes to a home that can keep him active whether walks or hikes and even fetch in the yard.

Fox does need to learn more about walking on a leash and has a tendency to mark in the house but he was recently neutered. Olivieri said belly bands will be sent home with whoever adopts him to help prevent marking and managing it.

"He would like an active home. He really does like to go for walks daily. He likes to run around in the yard. He does need a little work on leash walking. He sometimes gets a little tangled still under your feet, and he's learning how to walk on a leash," she said. "So, someone who's got some patience and some time to work on some training with him."

"He also is not fully potty trained, so he does know to go potty outside. However, he will still mark, urinate in the house sometimes, and he might poop here and there in the house."

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