Market 32, Price Chopper and Customers Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy Association

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper announced a total donation of $57,313.45 in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). 
 
The recent in-store round-up campaign raised $47,313.45, and Market 32 and Price Chopper matched the fundraiser by providing an additional $10,000.00. The donation was revealed during a ceremonial check presentation at the Market 32 in Slingerlands, NY.
 
The campaign, which ran from July 1 – 31, invited customers to round up their change to the nearest dollar at checkout to help fund MDA's critical work in accelerating research, enhancing care, and providing life-changing programs for children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.
 
"We're grateful to our customers and teammates who came together to make this campaign a success," said Blaine Bringhurst, Market 32 and Price Chopper president. "Every dollar raised helps MDA continue its mission to transform lives through science and support."
 
The money raised will help fund cutting-edge research leading to new treatments and therapies, nationwide care centers that provide multidisciplinary support, and MDA summer camps that offer life-changing experiences for kids with neuromuscular diseases.
 
"Market 32 and Price Chopper have been true partners to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, helping us advance research, fund multidisciplinary care through our nationwide MDA Care Center Network, and create life-changing opportunities like MDA Summer Camp for families we serve," said Ruth Ann Dailey, the Muscular Dystrophy Association's chief development officer. "In just the past two decades, more than 25 new treatments for neuromuscular conditions have been approved – progress made possible through the generosity of their leadership, employees, and customers. As we celebrate MDA's 75th anniversary, we are deeply grateful for this enduring partnership and legacy of progress, and we look forward to continuing the momentum for families today and for generations to come."
 

Tags: market,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday. 

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection. 

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data.  Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost." 

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories