Berkshire County Development Alliance Presents Fundraising in a Small Town

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.—The Berkshire County Development Alliance (BCDA) announced its fall event, "Fundraising in a Small Town," to be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Berkshire Health Systems' Bishop Clapp
Building, 742 North Street.
 
This program will feature Lisa Lewis, Director of Development at Berkshire Health Systems, who will share her expertise and insights on strategies for successful fundraising in small and close-knit communities.
 
Lewis' career spans Boston, San Francisco, and over two decades supporting the Berkshires. Lisa's perspectives will
 
All community members are welcome.
 
Parking is available on Wahconah Street and at the intersection of Wahconah and North Streets. Light refreshments will be provided.
 
RSVP by Oct. 17 to 413BCDA@gmail.com or visit bit.ly/4cDsUjA to learn more.
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Wahconah Students Join Statewide 'SOS' Call for Rural School Funding

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

DALTON, Mass. — Students at Wahconah Regional High School are urging the state to fully fund Rural School Aid that supports essential services that shape their future.
 
Rural districts across the state participated in Rural and Declining Enrollment Schools Week of Action to insist Beacon Hill fully fund rural aid at $60 million. 
 
Schools across Massachusetts sent their pleas for aid to lawmakers through letter-writing campaigns, sign-making, and coordinated gatherings where students and educators formed the letters "SOS."

Wahconah students did something different — they created an educational video detailing the need for increased funding for rural schools with the school's music teacher Brian Rabuse, who edited the video, Assistant Superintendent Aaron Robb said. 

The advocacy efforts move the issue from spreadsheets to show the human cost of a funding formula previously described as "remarkably wrong." 
 
During an interview with iBerkshires, students expressed how districts without rural aid would have to make reductions in world language programing, mental health support, extracurricular opportunities, and other areas they find essential. 
 
"Our students deserve the same quality of education as any child in Massachusetts, regardless of their ZIP code," Superintendent Mike Henault said in apress release.
 
"The week of action is an opportunity for our communities to come together and make it clear to Beacon Hill that the status quo is no longer acceptable." 
 
Rural schools attempt to create the same quality education as urban and suburban areas while balancing high fixed costs of transportation and operations of geographically large, low-population districts.
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