NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Community Based Day Services (CBDS) team, in partnership with BFAIR, has launched a Coat and Boot Drive to provide essential winter wear to local veterans ahead of the cold season.
This initiative supports the North Adams Veterans' Services Office, which identified warm outerwear and footwear as a critical need.
Organizers are collecting new or gently used men's and women's coats and boots that are in good condition.
Donation Drop-Off Locations (Now until Nov. 6, 2025):
CBDS, 26 Roberts Drive, North Adams
BFAIR Administrative Office, 771 South Church Street, North Adams
BFAIR Bottle & Can Redemption Center, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, North Adams
All collected items will be delivered to the Veterans' Services Office on November 10, 2025, to ensure veterans receive necessary provisions before the onset of winter weather.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
North Adams Council Looks to AG for Assurances on Federal Grant
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City officials want to know if the attorney general will defend them if they refuse to abide by certain provisions in a federal grant for the Police Department.
The City Council on Tuesday voted to postpone action until Nov. 10 on a fiscal year 2025 Edward Bernard Memorial Justice Assistant Grant after an hour of debate and hearing from more than a half-dozen audience members in opposition.
"Let's take all the time that we have. Let's wait for them to actually do their due diligence and fight these provisions and, hopefully, win, and then it's not a problem at all, and everybody's happy, and we take care of it," said Council President Ashley Shade. "And if they don't get the provisions out, let's make sure that they're willing to defend us if we accept it. And if they are, let's fight them. Let's fight them on this."
The U.S. Department of Justice grant for $14,231 is to update the department's overstuffed evidence room to aid its accreditation process. But new requirements within the contract about active or passive cooperation with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have raised fears within the council and community.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey and Police Chief Mark Bailey had explained the need for an evidence room two weeks ago and assured that Police Department didn't deal with civil matters like immigration, but the council rejected the grant. Shade motioned for it be reconsidered for discussion, which passed.
Audience members spoke out in opposition to accepting the grant, often to applause.
"We cannot trust that they aren't attaching strings that we think, in good faith, could not happen," said Sarah Farnsworth from North Adams. "That they could not make us do things that we are protected from in the Constitution. And we have seen over and over that somehow that manages to happen."
City officials want to know if the attorney general will defend them if they refuse to abide by certain provisions in a federal grant for the Police Department. click for more
Gabe Thomas carded an even par round of 71 at Stockbridge Golf Club Monday to finish two shots clear of the field and claim the first county individual championship for the McCann Tech golf team. click for more
The McCann School Committee got a first look at the final stretch of a $17 million overhaul aimed at making the 64-year-old vocational school safer, quieter and more energy-efficient. click for more
History unfolds in real time, and a new exhibit at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Gallery 51 reflects on the political issues and emotions shaping the country and the power of collective action. click for more
After four decades of serving meals out of First Congregational Church, the Berkshire Food Project is officially putting down permanent roots — and giving its longtime dining space a major overhaul. click for more
