North Adams Lions Club Names Cardomino, Richardello Scholarship Recipients

NORTH ADAMS, Mass — The North Adams Lions Club announced the recipients of this year's Cardomino and Richardello Scholarship: Ella Gaffey of Charles H. McCann Technical School and Megan McGrath of Drury High School.

Both students were recognized at their respective Senior Awards Assemblies, with the scholarship award from the North Adams Lions presented this summer.

The North Adams Lions Club Cardomino and Richardello Scholarship supports a graduating senior from Drury High School, Mount Greylock High School, and Charles H. McCann Technical School who plan to continue their education at an accredited two-year, four-year, trade, or specialized vocational program, and who have demonstrated a commitment to community service.

Gaffey's application highlighted her volunteer work at a local soup kitchen, an experience she said reshaped how she sees her hometown.

"A place I once could have described as predictable or boring, turned into a place much more complex," she wrote, reflecting on the friendships and understanding she built while preparing meals alongside teammates and neighbors. She also volunteered at grade-school exploratory events and a community showcase.

McGrath's application centered on her experience volunteering to coach youth basketball, mentoring children not yet old enough to join competitive teams. She described teaching the fundamentals of the game while discovering that her role extended well beyond sports, helping young players build confidence through encouragement and teamwork. McGrath is also active in youth soccer and has volunteered with Wreaths Across America.

"These two young women exemplify what this scholarship is all about," said Kate Gigliotti, President of the North Adams Lions Club. "They've each found their own way to serve their community, and in doing so, they've grown as leaders. We're proud to support them as they take their next steps post-graduation."

The North Adams Lions Club has long supported local students through the Cardomino and Richardello Scholarship, part of the Club's broader mission to promote community service and global leadership. Lions Clubs International is one of the world's largest volunteer service organizations, with members dedicated to meeting the needs of their local communities. The North Adams Lions meet monthly over dinner to plan service projects and ways to better serve the community.

Northern Berkshire United Way: 1990's Big Goals, Shifting Needs

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Monday, September 07, 2026

Northern Berkshire United Way is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Each month, we will take a look back at the agency's milestones over the decades. This part looks at the 1990s era as reported in the North Adams Transcript.

 

Northern Berkshire United Way saw its campaign goals rise to a half-million or more over the decade.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way entered the 1990s with big goals — and met almost all of them. It ended the decade with the largest campaign in its history.

 

It wasn't easy; the area was still reeling from closures and layoffs, including from General Electric and Waverly Fabrics. The first campaign of the decade saw a historic $500,000 goal only meet 93 percent of its goal. 

 

"We lost tens of thousands of dollars from firms and employees that contributed last year," said Daniel Bird, board vice president told the 150 gathered for the 1990 campaign conclusion, as reported by the Transcript. "There were just fewer to give because of closings and layoffs. What we did see were tens of thousands in new and increased gifts which brought us to the high percentage of  goal, and we are grateful."

 

The agency lowered its sights to $480,000 the following year and beat that number, possibly by pulling out all the stops. The four co-chairs that year could heavily rely on prayer — the Rev. Lawrence Provenzano of St. John's, the Rev. Betty Lou Ure of First Congregational, and Lts. Cheriann and Kevin Stoops of the Salvation Army.

 

They even sang a rap song that year, with lyrics including "the United Way is in our town to help the people who are down / some are young, some are old, some are living, some are cold / but you are here to make this work, to raise the funds, you will not shirk!"

 

Mayor John Barrett III and state Rep. Daniel Bosley promised a "big splash" for the campaign with a set up photo of a "plunge" into a wading pool. (They had promised the YMCA pool but were in Boston to talk about a museum in the former Sprague complex.)

 

Provenzano thought the success was because "people knew how desperate the situation was."