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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Former Aerus Employee Keeps Business Going

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
04:58PM / Saturday, February 07, 2026

BENNINGTON, Vt. — A former Aerus Electrolux employee has started his own business to keep the filtration company’s products and services in the area.

When Aerus Electrolux — known for selling and servicing vacuums and air purifiers—abruptly closed at the end of December, Tyler Waldron decided to help local customers continue getting serviced by opening Tyler’s Healthy Home.

"They offered me something called the distributor program, which means I still can carry the product, the supplies, [and] still honor the free yearly service checks for any Aerus Electrolux products."

His new business is operated out of his home office, however, he still offers various Electrolux products and services including free air quality tests and service checks.

Currently he is the only employee, but has plans to open a storefront and expand his team as the business grows.

Waldron had started working at Aerus Electrolux's Pittsfield location in January 2025 and was learning to become the next owner.

"It's kind of crazy to think about that in a year, you can go from an employee to a business owner but that was the goal from the beginning," he said.

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