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BFAIR clients and employees deliver donated supplies to the Veterans Services Office in North Adams.
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Donations included hygiene products, towels, and food, among other things.
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Members of the BFAIR community not only made donations, but made the delivery.
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Neep and Samson were both in awe of how much BFAIR donated.
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The donations were delivered Friday.

BFAIR Supports North County Veterans With Donations

Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Donations were made through the month of August.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — BFAIR's Community Based Day Support (CBDS) program made a special delivery to City Hall on Friday and helped stock the Veterans Services Office's food pantry.
 
"I am totally overwhelmed. I was in awe when they said they were going to do this," said Tina Samson, office's administrative assistant. "BFAIR, they help in the community. This is wonderful, and this is always needed. 100 percent." 
 
Kris Neep, director of the day program, said she saw one of Samson's call for donations posts on Facebook. She quickly got the BFAIR (Berkshire Family and Individual Resources) community behind the cause. 
 
"We got all of our offices involved," she said. "I think this is great and says a lot about our community. Just look at all the stuff we got? We just like to give back."
 
BFAIR clients and employees heeded the call, donating hygienic supplies, non-perishable foods, and other items needed for the pantry during the August collection drive.
 
"There is everything in these bags, and people were very generous, especially nowadays when prices are so high," Neep said.   
 
While she didn't have an exact count of donations, the donations filled the back of the van used for transport. She said everything was organized for easy storage.
 
CBDS employees and clients offloaded the supplies with the help of some veterans.

Tags: BFAIR,   veterans services,   

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North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Jenna Thomas has participated in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years, earning numerous medals. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Special Olympian Jenna Thomas was recognized at City Council on Tuesday for her medal-winning performance at the 2026 games last month in Minnesota.
 
"I think it's so appropriate as I'm about to proclaim Disabilities Pride Month that we recognize and honor Jenna," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had Thomas join her at the podium."
 
Thomas was one of nearly 3,000 athletes who participated in the 2026 Special Olympics, which brought nearly 3,000 athletes from across the country to celebrate the talents, determinations, and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She won bronze as a member of the Berkshire County Arc Titans bowling team, a fourth in doubles with teammate Katherine Meunier and placed in the top 10 for singles nationally.
 
She's been participating in Special Olympics since her teenage years, competing in cross country skiing, track and field since 2009. Thomas switched to bowling in 2019 and has won gold; she was recognized by the mayor in 2023 for her athletic accomplishments representing Massachusetts and North Adams. 
 
"Look at how beautiful that is — a bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in the doubles competition, demonstrating her dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship on the national stage," said the mayor. "She also got to meet the governor's partner, Joanna [Lydgate], who we went out with for ice cream. ...
 
"In returning home, she credited her participation to the friendships she's made and the joy of competing ... her accomplishments are a source of pride for the city of North Adams and should serve as an inspiration for the entire community."
 
The mayor also presented $730,741.06 in end-of-year transfers. These transfers are made from accounts with excess funds to accounts that have gone over. Every line with the exception of snow and ice must be balanced for the end of the year.
 
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