Haddad Auto Group Sponsors Strong Little Souls Family Funday, Golf Benefit

12:43PM / Thursday, September 17, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The fourth annual Strong Little Souls Family Funday brought more than 30 families affected by pediatric cancer together this year for a day filled with laughter, connection and memories at the Cottage Farm of the Berkshires, owned by George and Sheri Haddad.

For Haddad Subaru, it is an opportunity to give back to Strong Little Souls, a nonprofit organization with which the Haddad family and Haddad Subaru have built a close and meaningful relationship.

This year, Haddad Subaru presented Strong Little Souls with an $11,500 donation through the Subaru Share the Love Event. In addition to the financial contribution, George Haddad and the Haddad Subaru team provided countless volunteer hours, resources and hands-on support to help make the Family Funday possible.

Haddad Subaru staff members were spread throughout the venue, working alongside volunteers to create a day the families might never forget. Tables were filled with activities including glitter tattoos, tie-dye shirts and balloon animals, with the goal of having every turn throughout the property reveal activity designed to put a smile on a child's face.

Children enjoyed bouncy houses, water games and the foam pit, along with boat rides, ice cream and plush toys. For families who have faced the challenges of pediatric cancer, the event offered something equally important: a chance to simply be together, make memories and enjoy being a family.

The celebration continued the following week with the first-ever Strong Little Souls Golf Tournament fundraiser at Wyndhurst Golf Course, sponsored by Haddad Auto Group.

Golfers arrived for check-in to find the course filled with teams and golf carts, each participating in support of children and families whose lives have been impacted by pediatric cancer. Throughout the course, signs honored individual children — those who have been forever affected by pediatric cancer, those currently battling the disease and those who have become survivors.

The tournament featured hole-in-one challenges, silent auctions and "Put & Pour" activities, with proceeds benefiting Strong Little Souls. Following the tournament, a family-friendly cookout was opened to the public, bringing together families, golfers, volunteers and community supporters for an afternoon of food, fellowship and gratitude.

By the conclusion of the tournament, more than $40,000 had been raised for Strong Little Souls. Of that total, $10,000 was contributed by Haddad Auto Group and Hyundai Hope On Wheels.

According to Haddad Auto Group, the two events demonstrated the power of community support and the impact that can be made when families, volunteers and local businesses come together for a common cause.

For Haddad Auto Group, supporting Strong Little Souls is not simply about writing a check. It is about showing up, lending a hand and creating moments of joy for families navigating one of life's most difficult challenges.

Tags: benefit, cancer,

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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