United Counseling Service's Superhero 5K Raises Money For Teens4Change Program

11:33AM / Saturday, February 28, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BENNINGTON, Vt. — United Counseling Service (UCS)'s 8th annual Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash raised $3,500 for the agency's Teens4Change program, a youth-led program that brings young people in Bennington County together for community service opportunities, local events, weekly gatherings, and skill-building activities.

Funds raised at the UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash will support the group's weekly meetings and events throughout the year, including the annual UCS Bennington Youth Summit, a free opportunity open to Vermont teens.

"Teens for Change represents the best of what community investment can look like—empowering young people to lead, connect, and support one another," said UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash Race Director Joel Stark.

2025 event sponsors are Heritage Family Credit Union (Invincible Level), Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal (Caped Crusader Level), The Richards Group (Guardian Level), JK Adams (Guardian Level), Genoa Healthcare, (Aquaman Level), Bennington Rescue Squad (Aquaman Level), Janitronics Facility Services (Aquaman Level), GVH Studio (Defender Level), MSK Engineers (Defender Level), rkMiles (Defender Level), Turning Point Center of Bennington (Defender Level), Northeast Delta Dental (Defender Level), VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (Defender Level), Coggins Toyota of Bennington (Champion Level), SaVida Health (Champion Level), Taconic Music (Champion Level), and Hill & Thompson (Champion Level).

The 2026 UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, and sponsorship opportunities are now available at ucsvt.org/events. This year's event will benefit Chickens for Change, a program of UCS that provides an opportunity for elementary through high school-age youth to raise, care for, and sell chickens and eggs in order to promote business, social, and life skills. Registration for the 2026 UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash opens May 1 at ucsvt.org/events.

"We are so excited for our 9th annual race to be held on NOv. 7," said Heidi French, Director of Community Relations and Development for UCS. "Every year the race gets bigger and better. It is truly a community event that would not be possible without the continued support from the Town of Bennington, the Bennington Police Department, the Bennington Rescue Squad, and the Berkshire Family YMCA."

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Companion Corner: Mace at Second Chance Animal Shelter

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
03:32PM / Saturday, March 07, 2026

ARLINGTON, Vt. — There's a dog at Second Chance Animal Shelter who is anxiously waiting to explore the world with her new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Mace is a Plott hound, a coonhound breed, who is 3 to 4 years old. He has been at the shelter since September 2024.

Shelter manager Troy Quinn introduced us to Mace, saying he gets along with everyone.

"He was found as a stray by animal control. I think he kept getting loose on the owner, and unfortunately, they just didn't really have enough time for him," Quinn said. "They just kind of left him outside. But he's a very sweet boy. He loves everybody."

Mace would do best with someone who knows and loves hounds and how vocal they can be.

"His perfect home would be a hound lover, for sure, because they are quite vocal," he said. "You got to be used to the barking. He definitely loves walking, playing with his toys. He will go out and like bay at the woods and try to get the wildlife stirred up so he can chase it."

Because he likes to chase, he would do best without cats in the home as he finds them too fun to play with. He would also do best with a more submissive dog and older children since he can be jumpy.

He is very treat motivated and he loves to play with soft toys, making sure to tear them apart. He is eager to go on walks as well to explore.

"He loves to chew up his stuffed toys. He definitely likes being out in the woods and when there's not so much snow out. He loves walking the fields with our volunteers," Quinn said. "He does a little bit better with the no-pull harness."

He especially likes to explore wooded areas and would love someone who would do the same with him.

"He's been just a really friendly, busy boy. He loves running around that yard, but he'd much rather be out in the woods," Quin said. "Pretty typical hound dog. He's loving. He's good for the vet, little bit wiggly."

At the end of the day he loves to snuggle up to you and look outside the window. Quinn said he would do well with anyone who is willing to put in the work for him.

"Anybody that's willing to work with them if they love hounds," he said. "He really is just a sweet, energetic boy."

Mace is sponsored by the Pet Connection.

If you think Mace might be the boy for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on the website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.

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