Habitat For Humanity Holiday Match Challenge

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity announced that a longtime supporter has once again stepped forward with a 1-to-1 Holiday Match Challenge, offering to match all donations made through Dec. 31, 2025, up to $7,000. 
 
Every gift made during this year's Home for the Holidays campaign will go twice as far in helping local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for this donor and his family, whose continued commitment to Habitat's mission has been essential to our work," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. "This year has been especially challenging for nonprofits, but our community's need for affordable housing continues to grow. This match gives every donor the opportunity to make an even bigger impact at a time when it is needed most."
 
Donations made through the online match page at donorbox.org/home-for-the-holidays-match will be doubled automatically.
 
Despite financial and operational challenges faced by nonprofits across the region, Habitat has continued to accelerate its building efforts. Ten homes are currently underway across Central and Southern Berkshire County, including ongoing work in Pittsfield and progress on Phase One of the Prosperity Way community in Housatonic.
 
"Our team and volunteers are working harder than ever," added Valli. "This match challenge helps ensure we can complete the homes already under construction and keep our momentum strong. Every dollar raised directly supports local families and keeps these homes affordable for generations to come."

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program. 
 
Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.
 
Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked. 
 
In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.
 
"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said. 
 
Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.
 
While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment. 
 
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