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ROTARY CLUB-PITTSFIELD, MA.
Pittsfield

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:10 PM
Mazzeo's Ristorante
1015 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
United States of America
In 2022-2023, the Club has evening meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Check the Club Calendar for meeting details.
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Home Page Stories
Pittsfield Rotary Auction 2023
Join us for a night of Music, Beads, Hors d'oeuvres, and over $50,000 in local goods and services being auctioned off!
Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield.
Cocktails, Hors d'oeuvres, Preview & Silent Auction starting at 5:00 PM/
Live Auction begins at 6:30 PM
All proceeds invested back in our community
 
To advertise your business in the catalog use this form 2023 Auction Ad Form 
To donate an item use this form:  2023 Auction Item Donation Form 
2022 Serve To Change Lives Auction
Pittsfield Rotary Auction - April 2, 2022
 
Join us at Berkshire Hills Country Club for our annual auction. The funds raised help support our community service throughout the year, including Summer camperships, the Thanksgiving Angels, quarterly food pantry meals, annual donations to local food pantries, Service Above Self awards and scholarships for local students, and so much more!
This year's auction-within-the-auction beneficiaries are the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center and the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires. 
Preview & Silent Auction start at 5pm
Live auction begins at 6:30pm. 
 
Check out the auction catalog & join us for a fun night for a great cause!
Give Me Shelter
Pittsfield Rotary Club Foundation President John Perreault introduced Jay Sacchetti, Senior Vice President of ServiceNet. Sacchetti was presented a $10,000 check from the Foundation in support of ServiceNet's new homeless shelter slated for an unused portion of the United Methodist Church on Fenn Street, Pittsfield. 
 
Sacchetti told us of the deplorable conditions of the current shelter, Barton's Crossing located on upper North Street and the less than ideal conditions at the overflow shelter at the former Saint Joseph's High School. The Fenn Street shelter is completing permitting and legal issues and hopes to resume construction shortly.
 
The organization shelters about 375 individuals per year at Barton's and Saint Joseph's with 80% of those housed from Pittsfield.
 
ServiceNet utilizes "isolation hotels" for patrons afflicted with Covid-19 in the communities it serves which include Amherst, North Hampton and Pittsfield.
Pioneer Valley Shelters are experiencing a severe strain from Covid-19, fortunately pandemic impacts haven't been as difficult in the Berkshires but are certainly present.
 
Sacchetti praised his amazing staff for their tireless work; thanked the Rotary for the donation and continued support; reported the average shelter resident is in their 30's-40's and mostly male. People over 55 seeking shelter have been increasing in number recently. In all age groups, many guests suffer from mental health issues, addictions and lack affordable housing. 
Feeding Funds
Representatives of local food banks and meal programs joined us last week for grant presentations. Each organization received $1,000 in support of their work in the community.
 
Jay Bailly introduced and presented the awards to each group.
 
Organizations receiving support from Rotary were: Berkshire Dream Center – Joseph Rhoades, First Baptist Church – Nancy & John Ostresh, First United Methodist Church –Alice Rose and Ann Mottley, Saint Agnes’s Church Food Pantry – Rick & Henry Trudell, Saint Mark’s Food Pantry- Father Chris, Saint Stephen’s Table – Nicole & Chris Plankey, Salvation Army – Captain Justin Barter.
Representatives from the following organizations could not attend the luncheon and will have their checks delivered:  Christian Assembly Church, The Christian Center, South Congregational Church.
Family in Need
Joan DiMartino brought news of a family in need. Eight year old Carter LaCasse, a local resident, has been diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
 
In response, Mazzeo's is hosting a fundraiser. The winner will receive dinner for two at Mazzeo's for six months! (2 entrées / month).
ALL funds raised will be presented to the LaCasse family.
 
Tickets are $20 each and will be available from Joan DiMartino or via the Venmo link nearby. The winner will be selected on February 10th. 
Notes & Asides 
October Already: The Red Sox are still in it as we write this edition and our Patriots really looked good on Sunday night. One doink off the upright denied the boys a chance to beat the GOAT. Hard to believe fall is upon us, here's to wonderful autumn weather with three cheers to our local high school, college and pro teams. Let's Go!
 
Zoom Zoom: As announced in various forms, luncheon meetings are now available live via Zoom. If you cannot make our weekly gathering, please consider streaming the event via the following link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84791340270?pwd=bm1zNkJPemF0MGJoLzZncW5KS3Judz09 
 
The Rep's Words
State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier was the guest speaker at last weeks luncheon. Ms. Farley-Bouvier entitled her remarks "What the h**l does a state representative do?" The Representative is one of 160 across the Commonwealth, her current district is 13 of 14 Pittsfield precincts, the coming redistricting map will update her territory to include all of Pittsfield. While Farley-Bouvier is on the Consumer Protection and Cyber Security House Committees, child welfare and foster care are her core issues. She is working to aid the overburdened agencies, especially DCF.  Her latest pending bill, the family mobility act would allow all persons in the Commonwealth regardless of immigration status to obtain a drivers license. Other highlights: House meetings remain via Zoom at least through the end of the month. The House has been inundated with requests for covid-19 assistance. Unemployment benefits have been difficult to administer, the unemployment office grew from 50 to over 1,000 employees to manage the crisis. Finally, Representative Farley-Bouvier reminded us that her most important job is to be accessible to all citizens. Several members expressed frustration with changing rules and hard to find answers regarding all things covid. The good Rep agreed the times have been very challenging. 
Fore The Big Basket
Secretary Joan DiMartino constructed the beautiful wine gift basket seen here. The wine from Balderdash Cellars of Richmond along with a tee sign sponsored by the Club in support of the District Golf tournament. The tourney is slated for September 28th at Twin Hills CC in Longmeadow. Area Governor Vin Marinaro will lead the Pittsfield delegation with the eye on the prize. The "Lucky Club Winner" will take home all event proceeds in furtherance of the wining clubs local projects. Cheers to all the players, may Pittsfield bring home the gold!
The Rotary Club of Pittsfield Raises $16,065 for Roots Rising at Annual Auction
 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 20, 2020) — The Rotary Club of Pittsfield, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, raised a record-setting $78,305 at its annual auction and dance party on Feb. 1, held at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Charitable funds raised included $16,065 in donations designated for Roots Rising, an award-winning, women-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower Pittsfield teens and build community through food, farming and the transformational power of meaningful work.
 
“The substantial amount of money raised at our recent event says as much about the caring and generous people of Pittsfield as it does about the Rotary’s commitment to serving and supporting our community,” said John McLaughlin, president of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield. “We’re proud to be celebrating 100 years of giving to our local community and are thrilled to support Root’s Rising’s admirable work. It’s a great synergy.”
 
Alex Reczkowski, a member of the Rotary Club and director of the Berkshire Athenaeum, presented a check to Roots Rising’s founding co-directors Jamie Samowitz and Jessica Vecchia on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. at Mazzeo’s Ristorante, following the Club’s weekly lunchtime meeting.
 
“This speaks to the power of the Rotary and the power of community. We left that auction feeling so grateful to the Rotary Club of Pittsfield for their support, generosity and belief in our work. We couldn't ask for better advocates,” said Vecchia.  
Read more...
Splish Splash Auction 2020
Splish Splash Auction 2020 coming up Saturday Feb 1.  Preview and Silent Auction are at 5pm.  Live auction starts at 6:30pm.  Take a look at our catalog.  The download link is on the right side of this page.  See you there!
Rotary Foundation Elvis - Orbison Show at the Colonial
Elvis and Orbison Tribute Show
 
The Rotary Club of Pittsfield and the Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation invites you on November 16, 2019 to the historical Colonial Theater to attend the　Elvis and Orbison Tribute Show: a benefit concert to raise funds for future upkeep of the new Splash Pad, and universally accessible playground equipment at Clapp Park in Pittsfield.
Clapp Park is a wonderful park used by many and the redesign and addition of a splash pad will benefit many residents.　 It will also give families a safe place for their children to cool off in the summer.　　
The Elvis & Orbison Show kicking off at 7:30pm is a unique and incredible tribute concert experience: a true celebration of two legendary performers in one amazing show. In the first set, the portrayal of Roy Orbison is extraordinary. The look, the voice and the songs all come to life with hits like, "Oh Pretty Woman," "Only The Lonely," "Crying," "In Dreams," "It’s Over," "Dream Baby" and "Blue Angel," to name a few. In the second set, Elvis Presley is back in the building, as the celebration continues with "Jailhouse Rock," "Burnin’ Love," "Hound Dog," "Suspicious Minds," "Love Me Tender" and many more. The audience is transformed back to a time when Elvis ruled the musical world in an outstanding tribute to the King of Rock & Roll. Sing and dance along with the band, all while raising funds for this amazing destination in the community for local residents and visitors. "An amazing concert…two great shows in one."　–Lubbock Avalanche-Journal　 "An incredible portrayal of two rock & roll legends."　–Miami Herald 
Click here for the sponsorship form 
To purchase tickets starting at $22 go to the berkshiretheatregroup.org
 
Splash Pad Centennial Project
Club President, John McLaughlin, and Past President’s John Perreault, Jeff Hassett, Joan DiMartino and Kelly Marion, presented Mayor Linda Tyer with a final check of $155,000 on Monday, July 15th as the final payment for the Splash Pad Centennial Project.  The initial payment of $25,000 was made earlier in the process to help support the design and infrastructure of the Slash Pad. Also, present, were Michelle Matthews, Pellerin Group, Parks Commissioner, Cliff Nilan and Parks & Open Space Manager, Jim McGrath.
Rotary Club of Pittsfield
Splash Pad Centennial Project
The Pittsfield Rotary Club and the City of Pittsfield have enjoyed a long and very successful partnership, starting with the Rotary Park Project where the Club and City teamed up to create a Boundless Playground™ at Springside Park in 2004/2005.  That endeavor was very successful, resulting in Springside Park being one of the most widely used parks in the City of Pittsfield. 
 
According to Club President, John McLaughlin, “the Rotary appreciates the opportunity to leverage our resources with state grant funding and the Pellerin Group for needed improvements at Clapp Park as part of the Pittsfield Club’s 100-year anniversary project.”
 
Clapp Park is a wonderful park used by many and the proposed redesign and addition of a splash pad will benefit many residents.  It will also give families a safe place for their children to cool off in the summer.  The sprawling park with a proud history has long been a central location for park and recreation activities in the city.  The construction of the Splash Pad, along with the current playground being made more universally accessible with the addition of new components specific for children with disabilities is part of the City of Pittsfield, Clapp Park Improvement Plan.
 
The Pittsfield Rotary Foundation was established in 1986 with a mission to create an endowment to support capital and special projects which have a long-term community impact.
 
The majority of the construction will be done in late August of this year.
Food Pantry Donation Distributions
Last week Jay Bailly and Shaun Heimann, co-chairs of The Rotary Club of Pittsfield's Annual Food Drive, presented a $1,000.00 donation to the following twelve local food pantries and kitchens:
Berkshire Dream Center
Christian Assembly Church　
Christian Center　　　　　　　　　　
First Baptist Church
First United Methodist Church
Reigning Love Church
Saint Agnes Church
Saint Joe's Kitchen (South Congregational Church)
South Congregational Church/Food Pantry
Saint Mark's Food Pantry　　　　　　　　　
Saint Stephen's Table
Salvation Army
Many thanks to Jay and Shaun for all their hard work and to all contributing Rotarians!!

Rotary Club of Pittsfield Golf Tournament 2019
Join us for our 15th Annual Golf Tournament
May 22, 2019 at the Country Club of Pittsfield

All monies raised will go to support The Pittsfield Rotary Club’s 100 Year Anniversary Project to build a Splash Pad and upgrade the playground to be more universally accessible at Clapp Park in Pittsfield.

 
“One of the best tournament of the year!”
 
In addition to 18 holes of golf, each player receives lunch, dinner, door prizes and the opportunity to buy raffle tickets and win some very valuable prizes.
12:00 Lunch 1:00 Shotgun Start
 
Golfer entry form can be found here: Golfer's Entry Form  
 
If you're saying
YES…………….Sign Me Up As a Sponsor for the 14th Annual Rotary Club of Pittsfield Golf Tournament
The sponsorship form can be found here: Golf Tournament Sponsorship
 
 
Service Above Self
Last week Joan DiMartino presented our Service Above Self awards to the following high school students for their amazing service to our community.  The students also receive a $100 donation to go to the charity of their choice that is listed after their names below.
From PHS:
Shakia Green -Eureka Program at the Girls Inc
Carolyn Guachione - Jimmy Fund
Johnathan Campbell - Be like Brit foundation an organization that helps children and families in Haiti.
 
From THS:
Kailey Sultaire - Camp Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Fairlee, Vermont
Katelyn Zwingelstein - Soldier On
McKenzie Benoit - Berkshire Humane Society
The Service Above Self Recipients and Dr. Jason McCandless - Superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools
 
Here is the combined listing of all the community services provided by the students:
  • Participated in the Farm & Garden Program
  • Promoted Rooms Rising – a program that brings unprocessed farm food to the plate
  • Farmers Market in Downtown Pittsfield
  • Catered for Herberg Middle School Open House
  • Assisted in promotional of the vocational education programs
  • Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center Bizarre Bazaar and School Age Enrichment Programs
  • Girls Inc. Ruth P. Boraski Celebration Evening
  • Berkshire Medical Center
  • Mentor & Volunteer for Youth Development Program – Hope for Haiti
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center Walk A Mile in her shoes,
  • Toys for Tots collections and toy drives
  • Jimmy Fund Events
  • Thanksgiving Turkey Angels Food Distribution Day
  • Miss Halls Horizon’s Service Learning Projects
  • Volunteer tutor in math & sciences for other students
  • Juvenile Arthritis Advocate
  • St. Stephen’s Table/Soup Kitchen
  • Red Cross Blood Drive
  • D.A.R.E. Graduation Guest Speaker
  • Volunteer Child Care for children ages 2-12
  • Berkshire County ARC working with the disabled
  • Volunteer Elderly Care
  • Berkshire Humane Society
  • CYC Girls Volleyball Coach
  • Taconic Boys Soccer Team Coach
POSTPONED until February 2nd 28th Annual Pittsfield Rotary Auction – "Margarita Village"

Due to the incoming snowstorm the Pittsfield Rotary Club has postponed their signature Annual Auction to February 2.　 It will still be at the Holiday Inn (formerly Berkshire Plaza) and start at 5:00 PM Saturday, February 2.


 
 

28th Annual Pittsfield Rotary Auction – "Margarita Village"

Help our community’s future by attending The Pittsfield Rotary Club’s 28th Annual Auction on Saturday February 2nd at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. The event features a cocktails and delicious hors d'oeuvres during the preview and silent auction beginning at 5:00 pm; the live auction begins at 6:30 pm. This fun and exciting live auction features merchandise and gift certificates generously donated by local merchants along with travel and advertising opportunities. Funds raised at the auction allow the Rotary Club of Pittsfield to continue issuing generous scholarships to our local students, fund Advanced Placement testing assistance programs, provide grants to local nonprofits and to continue maintenance of the Rotary Boundless Playground equipment at Springside Park in Pittsfield. It will also help the club’s effort to assist the City of Pittsfield with many improvements to Clapp Park and installing a splash pad at the park. Admission is $10.00 donation per person with light fare included and cash bar.

 

https://www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Pittsfield-MA-158122127559955/

Lyon/Nash Scholarship
At our June 7th meeting the Lyon and Nash scholarships were presented by the scholarship committee.  The Lyon Family scholarship was presented to Gavin Sicurello-Laclair of Taconic High School.  The Nash Family scholarship was presented to Brandon Williams also of Taconic High School.
Committee member John O'Brien, recipients Brandon Williams and Gavin Sicurello-Laclair, Committee members Brad Felix and Dave Hall.
Gene Case Scholarship 2018
Last Thursday, the annual Gene Case Scholarship was awarded to Samantha Callaway of Taconic High School. The ceremony was lead by Gwen Davis, chair of the Gene Case Scholarship committee, and Marshall Raser, who shared his memories of Mr. Case and his contributions to Pittsfield Rotary. In the spirit of the service-oriented nature of the award, Samantha gives back to the community while being a highly accomplished student and athlete, We congratulate Samantha on receiving the honor and wish her all the best in future endeavors.
 
(L-R: Don & Marsha Callaway, Samantha Callaway, Gwen Davis and Sarah Maddalena (Guidance Counselor at Taconic)
Pittsfield Rotary Club Scholarships
On May 17th The Pittsfield Rotary Club awarded their annual scholarships to recipients Michelle Johnson and Jennifer O'Neil from BCC, Olivia Douhan and Grace Barini from Pittsfield High School and Keiahna Cargill and Jaclyn Boateng from Taconic High School
 
Butler Award Presented to John Perreault
President Jeff Hassett honored John Perreault with this year's Butler Award last week.   Jeff Whitehouse started the presentation with remembrances of his uncle and by reading a moving letter from Fred P. Toot, Past President and first recipient of the award in 1986.  Jeff and Mr. Toot reminded us that this award is presented as a memorial to Don Butler who was " A man of distinction in our community. His actions to love, assist, care and fulfill the needs of many in the Pittsfield community set examples for us to follow"
President Jeff reviewed John Perreault's many contributions to our community and club.  He used a quote by Dean Smith,  a well know basketball coach, to describe his thoughts on the award and recipient:
"You should never be proud of doing the right thing.  You should just do it"
Congratulations John! 
Jean Butler Boino, John Perreault and Doreen Butler
2017 Student Service Above Self Awards
   President, Jeff Hassett and Service Above Self Award Chair, Joan DiMartino presented seven local students with "Service Above Self" awards.  This award exemplifies student volunteer efforts and their selfless contributions to the service of others.  The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise which we both encourage and foster.
   Joan DiMartino and Committee member, Rob Proskin, had the privilege of reviewing a number of outstanding nominations for students this year and selected the seven awardees for their service above and beyond in their community.  Ms. DiMartino noted, “It certainly was not an easy task but it was truly heartwarming to see that more of our students are out in our community volunteering both their time and talents.”
   Representatives from Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School presented each of the awardees to the Club at a luncheon, held on November 16, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield.  Also in attendance to recognize the student achievements were Roberta McCulloch-Dews, Director of Administrative Services, Office of the Mayor City of Pittsfield, Mr. John Vosburgh, Principal of Taconic High School, Susan Pivero and Sarah Maddelena from Taconic High School Guidance, along with Susan Haughey, Health Tech Teacher.  Pittsfield High School was represented by Amy Higgins and Janice Barry, from the Guidance Department, along with Todd Eddy, Culinary Teacher. Again this year Rotary made a $100 donation in the award winners name to a charity of their choice.
   This year’s awardees who are all Seniors at their respective schools are Anthony Arace, Cooper Baity, Keiahna Cargill and Daniel Zielinski from Taconic High School, along with Gabrielle DiMassimo, Danielle LeBlanc, and Marilyn Maison, from Pittsfield High School.
   The presentation ended with Ms. DiMartino congratulating the award winners and thanking their parents for their involvement in supporting their students volunteerism.  She added that our wish is that these students will continue down the path of service to others as they prepare for graduation and the many challenges and successes ahead!
Read more...
With Fellowship & Free Beers For All
We are scheduled to go to Wandering Star Brewery at 5pm next Thursday (August 31st) instead of our regularly scheduled Rotary meeting.  Jeff needs a head count by today if you want in on some tasty craft beers, and probably some halfway decent company as well.  Wandering Star is located at 11 Gifford St. in Pittsfield.
Club Executives & Directors
President
Alex Reczkowski
Vice President
John Hudnall
Secretary
Joan DiMartino
Treasurer
Jeffrey Hassett
Immediate Past President
John Murphy
Sergeant-at-Arms
Jim Bronson
Auction Committee Chair
Robert Harrison
Membership
Jay Marion
Program Chair
Shaun Heimann
Public Relations
Kelly Marion
Service Projects
Erik Ungewitter
Interact Chair
Erik Ungewitter
Rotary Foundation
Jeffrey Hassett
Foundation Secretary
David Cianflone
Foundation Treasurer
Richard LaFleche
Paul Harris Dinner
Photo Albums
 
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