Carr Hardware Customers Raise Money for Thanksgiving Angels

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. Carr Hardware announce that its customers in Lenox and Pittsfield have raised a total of $2,486.99 through the company's round-up initiative, directly benefiting the local Thanksgiving Angels program. 
 
This generosity helped provide Thanksgiving meals for over 2,500 families in Berkshire County who signed up to receive a traditional holiday dinner through the program.
 
Throughout the month of October, Carr Hardware hosted a round-up campaign at its Lenox and Pittsfield locations, encouraging customers to round up their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar. The funds collected through this initiative were donated to the South Congregational Church's Thanksgiving Angels program.
 
Carr's customers stepped up even more this year, beating last year's round-up total of $1,856.35.
 
On Monday, Nov. 24, Carr employees were greeted by Pittsfield mayor, Peter M. Marchetti, at the Thanksgiving Angels' check presentation. Numerous employees then volunteered handing out meals and supplies to local families. Last year, Thanksgiving Angels had more than 350 volunteers from local businesses and groups assist with the annual
distributions.
 
"A special thank you to our Berkshire county customers, who stepped up again this year and donated even more than in years past," said Bart Raser, President at Carr Hardware. "Your generosity helped us feed our neighbors and build a stronger, more caring community. We donated our time and money to help nourish those in need."
 
The Thanksgiving Angels program serves as an essential resource to families throughout the county, providing meals and a sense of connection and community.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Reviews Public Safety Budget, Keeps SpotShotter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On the fourth day of budget deliberations, the City Council preliminarily approved public safety and public service budgets. 

See the first two days of budget review here; and the third day here.

Councilors deliberated the Pittsfield Police Department's $16,439,421 spending plan for more than 90 minutes. Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren unsuccessfully motioned to cut $220,000 for ShotSpotter services. 

He said the acoustic gunshot detection technology is not well used throughout the country, citing other communities that have opted out or are exploring it. 

Pittsfield has two more years on its contract; while councilors voted down the budget reduction several were willing to explore the impact data and see if those funds could be used elsewhere. 

Police Chief Marc Maddalena reported that there has been a significant decrease in shots fired calls, and attributed it to the surveillance technology assisting enforcement. He said it also comes in faster than 911 calls. 

"If people know that just by that noise alone that we're responding within seconds, that's preventing them from utilizing that weapon," he said. 

"So that in of itself is saving lives." 

It has an about 20 percent accuracy rate, and police respond to every activation. 

On Sunday, at least two homes in the area of Memorial Drive and Doyle Drive were struck by gunfire and investigators located 17 shell casings on scene. This was brought up during conversation; it was reported that there were 13 impulses on ShotSpotter during the incident. 

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