Carr Hardware Customers Raise Money for Thanksgiving Angels

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. Carr Hardware announce that its customers in Lenox and Pittsfield have raised a total of $2,486.99 through the company's round-up initiative, directly benefiting the local Thanksgiving Angels program. 
 
This generosity helped provide Thanksgiving meals for over 2,500 families in Berkshire County who signed up to receive a traditional holiday dinner through the program.
 
Throughout the month of October, Carr Hardware hosted a round-up campaign at its Lenox and Pittsfield locations, encouraging customers to round up their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar. The funds collected through this initiative were donated to the South Congregational Church's Thanksgiving Angels program.
 
Carr's customers stepped up even more this year, beating last year's round-up total of $1,856.35.
 
On Monday, Nov. 24, Carr employees were greeted by Pittsfield mayor, Peter M. Marchetti, at the Thanksgiving Angels' check presentation. Numerous employees then volunteered handing out meals and supplies to local families. Last year, Thanksgiving Angels had more than 350 volunteers from local businesses and groups assist with the annual
distributions.
 
"A special thank you to our Berkshire county customers, who stepped up again this year and donated even more than in years past," said Bart Raser, President at Carr Hardware. "Your generosity helped us feed our neighbors and build a stronger, more caring community. We donated our time and money to help nourish those in need."
 
The Thanksgiving Angels program serves as an essential resource to families throughout the county, providing meals and a sense of connection and community.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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