Crane Fund Donates to Local Oranizations

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DALTON, Mass. — The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has donated funding to 92 organizations around the globe, some in Berkshire County. 
 
Crane Currency associates nominated 36 organization, all of which received funding to bolster their services. 
 
These organizations include Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire Workforce Board, South Community Food Pantry, Hinsdale Food Pantry, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and more. 
 
The nominations from the associates showcases the collaborative spirit of the Dalton community, a commitment that has helped the organizations become better equipped to fulfill its missions, according to a statement from the fund.
 
"Because of [the fund,] lives are being transformed. [Its] generosity has touched the hearts of the 15,000 people we serve each year — offering hope where there was despair, resources where there was need, and love where there was loneliness. We truly couldn’t do this without [it]," said Katelynn Miner, the founder and executive assistant of the Berkshire Dream Center, as quoted in the press release.
 
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has long been a pillar of support for the community, providing essential resources to organizations that make a significant impact on the lives of many, the press release states. 
 
The fund is one Crane Currency's, now CraneNXT, three charitable funds. The other two are the Crane Fund, established in 1914, and Crane Foundation, created in 1951. More information here.
 
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children makes contributions to charitable non-profit
organizations that provide direct help to underserved populations in the communities where Crane NXT works or where its associates have a direct connection.
 
Crane NXT has a location in Dalton, which focuses on authentication, security, and detection.
 
Fund officials say it touches the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.

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Pittsfield Celebrates Arbor Day at Taconic

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Peter Marchetti presented the framed original cover art for the day's program. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Generations of Taconic students will pass the tree planted on Arbor Day 2026 as they enter school. 

Pittsfield's decades-long annual celebration was held at a city school for the first time. Different vocational trades at Taconic High School worked together to plant the Amelanchier, or flowering serviceberry, mark it with a plaque, record the ceremony, create artwork for the program's cover, and feed guests. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said the students' participation reflects the spirit of Arbor Day perfectly: learning by doing, serving the community, and helping Pittsfield grow greener for generations to come.

"It's not unknown that trees help shade our homes, help clean our air and water, they support wildlife, and make our neighborhoods and public spaces more beautiful and resilient," he said. 

"And Arbor Day is our chance annually to honor that gift and to remember that when we plant something today, we are investing in the future of our green world."

The holiday was established 154 years ago by J. Sterling Morton and was first observed in Nebraska with the planting of more than a million trees.

CTE environmental science and technology teacher Morgan Lindemayer-Finck detailed the many skilled students who worked on the event: the sign commemorating this Arbor Day was made by the carpentry and advanced manufacturing program, specifically students Ronan MacDonald and Patrick Winn; the multimedia production program recorded the event, and the culinary department provided refreshments. 

The program's cover art was created by students Brigitte Quintana-Tenorio and Austin Sayers. The framed original was presented to Mayor Peter Marchetti. 

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