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First Congregational Church nearly doubled its fundraising goal to support four local nonprofits, from left, Sue Wells of Many Forks Farm, Mark Rondeau of the Friendship Center Food Pantry, the church's Linda Rhoads and Matthew Alcombright of Berkshire Food Project.

North Adams Church Surpasses Share the Love Campaign Goal

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The First Congregational Church blew through its $10,000 goal, raising a total of $17,600 during its annual "Share the Love" campaign.
 
"It is just so touching for us. I think it says a great amount about the community," said Linda Rhoads of the Missions MInistry. "And the business community has really been so helpful. We want to have an influence in the community, and we are a small enough congregation that, even with a small amount of money, we are able to spread it around with this campaign."
 
The Berkshire Food Project, the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry, Louison House, and Greenagers at Many Forks Farm were each gifted $4,400.
 
"We always need money, and we appreciate the church doing this for us," said Mark Rondeau, food pantry president. "... It is very generous."
 
Sue Wells of Many Forks Farm said the funding allows more children to have access to their program.
 
"This church is all about community and kindness and helping others," she said. "It makes it so families can send their kids to our farm program at no cost. So this is huge for us."
 
The Valentine's Day-themed matching fundraiser ran through February, inviting donations from community members and businesses. In total, the public raised $12,100, which the church bolstered with its $5,000 match. Last year, the campaign raised just over $9,000.
 
Berkshire Food Project Executive Director Matthew Alcombright said the need in the area is always growing and shared his gratitude for the church’s community outreach.
 
"Food insecurity is a growing problem," he said. "SNAP benefits are back, but food prices are up, gas prices, everything. From the Food Project perspective, we're seeing an increase in numbers right now, like we did when SNAP was shut off. Our numbers are skyrocketing once again, so this is incredible for the church to do this."
 
Rhoads attributed the increased success to better promotion of the campaign raffle, which allowed donors to win prizes provided by local businesses. She also noted the impact of social media promotion and a few unexpected, larger contributions.
 
"We had a couple of surprises," she said. "A couple of big gifts. You can't ever count on that, but we were surprised."

Tags: church activities,   food,   fundraiser,   

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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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