Holiday Wreath Art Auction to Benefit Pittsfield Food Pantries

07:57AM / Friday, November 28, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Office of Cultural Development announces the 11^th annual Holiday Wreath Art Auction on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts from 4-6:30 p.m.

Approximately 50 wreaths will be on display during this ticketed event. There will be wreaths available for grab and go with a live auction of the featured wreaths at 5:30pm. All proceeds will benefit the Pittsfield Community Food Pantry. Since its inception in 2015, the Wreath Art Auction has raised more than $30,000 for the South Community Food Pantry.

The Wreath Art Auction is a $10 suggested donation ticketed event with refreshments. The highest bidder during the live auction will receive a special gift. This year the office once again has partnered with the Springside Greenhouse Group who will be decorating many of the donated wreaths, centerpieces and more. Prices for grab and go wreaths start at $30.

This event is part of the Festive Frolic taking place in Pittsfield December 5-6 with the Holiday Tree Lighting; the Berkshire Bazaar hosted by Thistle and Thorn at the Holiday Inn and Suites; a free Children's Paint & Sip at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; an appearance from Santa Claus in Dunham Mall and more hosted by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. The Holiday Shindy takes place Saturday, Dec. 13.

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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:38AM / Wednesday, August 05, 2026

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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