Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires seeks Nominations for Berkshire Nonprofit Awards

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.—The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, will present the ninth annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards breakfast on Tuesday, May 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Pittsfield.

The awards recognize individuals who work in the nonprofit sector to serve the Berkshire community.

"In the midst of some challenging years for the nonprofit sector, it's imperative that we make space to honor those in our community who are doing incredible work day in and day out," said McCaela Donovan, Associate Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. "This event creates space for joy and recognition, which is essential in this moment. If you know someone making a difference, please take the time to nominate them."

Nominations are being solicited from across the Berkshires in seven categories: Executive Leadership, Board Leadership, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Rock Star, Lifetime Achievement, and the Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership Award. 

Honorees—one in each category—will be selected by a committee of business and nonprofit leaders. Nomination forms are available at npcberkshires.org/nominate. The deadline for submissions is March 13.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is an infrastructure and support organization for the Berkshire nonprofit sector- which employs one in four people in Berkshire County. Now in its tenth year, NPC is currently seeking sponsors for this celebratory event. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact McCaela Donovan at mccaela@npcberkshires.org.

Lee Breaks Ground on Public Safety Building

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, April 25, 2026

Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain says the community voted to invest in its future by approving the new $37 million complex. 

LEE, Mass. — Ground was ceremonially broken on the town's new public safety building, something officials see as a gift to the community and future generations. 

When finished, Lee will have a 37,000 square-foot combined public safety facility on Railroad Street where the Airoldi and Department of Public Works buildings once stood. Construction will cost around $24 million, and is planned to be completed in August 2027.

"This is the town of Lee being proactive. This is the town of Lee being thoughtful and considerate and practical and assertive, and this project is not just for us. This project is a gift," Select Board member Bob Jones said. 

"This is a gift to our children, our grandchildren."

State and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, gathered at the site on Friday, clad in hard hats and yellow vests, and shoveled some dirt to kick off the build. 

Town Administrator Chris Brittain explained that officials have planned and reviewed the need for a modern facility for the public safety departments for years, and that the project marks a new chapter, replacing 19th-century infrastructure with a "state-of-the-art" complex.

"The project is not just about concrete and steel, it's a commitment to the safety of our families, the efficiency of our first responders, and the future of our community," he said. 

He said he was grateful to the town's Police, Fire, and Building departments for their dedication while operating out of outdated facilities, and to the Department of Public Works, for coordinating site preparation and relocating its services.