Berkshire Humane Sells Record Number of Subaru Tickets

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Humane Society raised a record amount of funds from its 13th annual Subaru Car Raffle day this past Saturday.

The Humane Society was able to raise $81,500 from the raffle; last year, the raffle raised $70,000.

"The one thing I look at most is the money we raised is so much more this year. That's just so many more animals that we know are in need that we're going to be able to help out now," Executive Director John Perrault said.

This is the first year the society was able to sell all 2,400 raffle tickets of $100 to win a 2026 Subaru from Haddad Subaru. 

"I don't think I've ever seen it as busy, as popular, and as long as I've been working and volunteering with the Berkshire Humane Society, this is the first year we've sold out of the tickets, which is exciting," said board President Laura Bykowski.

The daylong event for the raffle drawing started with a free rabies and microchip clinic, during which 67 rabies vaccines were administered and 55 microchips inserted.

"We had a very, very good turnout. And historically, when you get closer to the fall in this time of year, we don't see many and it's our fourth free one we've done this year, but they were still coming in strong," Perrault said. "So I'm very excited that we're able to help that many animals."

The shelter also waived adoption fees for the day. Two cats were able to be adopted through the event.

The collaboration for the event with Haddad Subaru started with the shelter's friend Chris Kramek, general manager at the dealership, who wanted to do something for the shelter. Their collaboration has helped the shelter raise funds and even get pets adopted, through their weekly animal sponsorship.

"Many, many years ago, my good friend Chris Kramek became the general manager at Haddad Subaru, invited me down and said 'I want to do something for your shelter, what do you want to do?’ I'm like, let's give away a car. He said, sure, let's figure out how to do that," Perrault said.

The prize was a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Forester Premium or Outback Premium with an extended warranty and three years of free maintenance.

Perrault announced the winner, who was Lynn Whittaker of Pittsfield.

Pittsfield Celebrates Arbor Day at Taconic

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:10PM / Saturday, May 02, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti presented the framed original cover art for the day's program. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Generations of Taconic students will pass the tree planted on Arbor Day 2026 as they enter school. 

Pittsfield's decades-long annual celebration was held at a city school for the first time. Different vocational trades at Taconic High School worked together to plant the Amelanchier, or flowering serviceberry, mark it with a plaque, record the ceremony, create artwork for the program's cover, and feed guests. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said the students' participation reflects the spirit of Arbor Day perfectly: learning by doing, serving the community, and helping Pittsfield grow greener for generations to come.

"It's not unknown that trees help shade our homes, help clean our air and water, they support wildlife, and make our neighborhoods and public spaces more beautiful and resilient," he said. 

"And Arbor Day is our chance annually to honor that gift and to remember that when we plant something today, we are investing in the future of our green world."

The holiday was established 154 years ago by J. Sterling Morton and was first observed in Nebraska with the planting of more than a million trees.

CTE environmental science and technology teacher Morgan Lindemayer-Finck detailed the many skilled students who worked on the event: the sign commemorating this Arbor Day was made by the carpentry and advanced manufacturing program, specifically students Ronan MacDonald and Patrick Winn; the multimedia production program recorded the event, and the culinary department provided refreshments. 

The program's cover art was created by students Brigitte Quintana-Tenorio and Austin Sayers. The framed original was presented to Mayor Peter Marchetti.