BHW 2026 Gala Raised Nearly $90,000 To Support Equine-Assisted Programs

07:41AM / Sunday, October 18, 2026Print Story | Email Story

RICHMOND, Mass. — The Jewish Women's Foundation of the Berkshires has granted Berkshire HorseWorks $5,200 for the second consecutive year to provide scholarships to RanchLife 101 After-School program.

These funds will empower children by providing hands-on experiences that build confidence, and other social-emotional and life skills through interaction with rescued horses.

BHW's Year of the Horse Gala, raised nearly $90,000 to support equine-assisted programs for individuals of all ages with mental health, literacy, and behavioral challenges. The news was announced by Hayley Sumner, Founder, Executive Director, and CEO of Berkshire HorseWorks.

With the JWF funds, BHW will hold two, four-week after-school RanchLife 101 programs in the spring and fall, each serving 15 children from Pittsfield.

Designed for children ages five–12, RanchLife 101 provides an authentic ranch experience where participants engage with rescued horses through ground-based and mounted activities.

Pittsfield's inner-city youth have been consistently underserved despite facing elevated household stressors, including higher rates of economic hardship and community instability, satted a press release.

RanchLife 101 addresses this service gap in Pittsfield by providing consistent, developmentally appropriate programming that has demonstrated high effectiveness in improving communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, mindfulness, and emotional awareness.

Originally launched as a one-day workshop, RanchLife 101 has expanded into six-week summer and after-school programming.

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Lee Chamber Celebrates Local Community Members

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:58PM / Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Chamber Executive Director Alexandra Heddinger is applauded for her work.

LEE, Mass. — Longtime teacher, coach and community activist Thomas Cinella was the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lee Chamber of Commerce.

Cinella was one of four individuals and one organization who were celebrated at last week's gathering at the Greenock Country Club.

"We have the honor of recognizing some outstanding individuals and organizations whose dedication, leadership, and generosity make Lee such a remarkable place to live, work, and raise a family," said President Erik Williams. "Each of our award recipients embodies the spirit of community and service that makes our town so special."

The awards were presented to Cinella, Ray Murray III, Scott and John LePrevost, and the Lee Lions Club.

Cinella, born in Lee in 1941, has joked he'd spent all but the four years he was in college in his hometown. He taught math at Lee High School as well as coaching basketball for 45 years. He has a record of six state championships and 15 Western Massachusetts championships during his 20 years of coaching the girls' varsity team.

Outside of school, Cinella served on the Lee Library Board of Trustees, chaired the Sandy Beach Committee, was the town lifeguard, and was involved with the town's playgrounds.

"Tom, your name is on the basketball court, and the banners and trophies, and it tells an impressive story. But your greatest legacy is found in the students you encouraged, the players you believed in, and the generations of young people who carry something of what you taught them with them every single day," Williams said. "Lee has been fortunate to have you as a teacher, coach, volunteer, and neighbor."

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