WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire United Way marked the start of its 90th year at its annual business meeting on Thursday. 

 

And to kick off this anniversary year, the organization recognized community leaders who have epitomized its mission over the decades: leadership, community and innovation. 

 

"This event helps support our neighbors and honors the generosity the community shows Northern Berkshire United Way and our partner agencies," said Executive Director Patti Messina to the capacity crowd at the Williams Inn, after giving a brief history of the nonprofit organization.

 

The eighth annual Spirit of Caring Awards included the Steve Green Spirit of Community Award, the Spirit of the Future Award and the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award. A fourth award was the Workplace Campaign of the Year, presented to Greylock Federal Credit Union.  

 

Both the Community and Caring awards were named after longtime volunteers and leaders within the community. Green, a professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, served on the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition board and co-chaired NBUW campaigns with his wife, Sue. Nelson was a former executive director of NBUW and a founder of the now Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry, where Green also volunteered.

 

"This award is such a fitting way to continue Steve's legacy of compassion, service, and connection," said Christine Hoyt, a former Adams selectman and prior Future Award recipient, in presenting the Community Award to Becky Duprat and Maria Duprat.

 

Becky worked for 18 years at the Daily Grind in Adams before buying it last year and Maria joined her as general manager. 

 

Community is more than a place on a map, Hoyt said, it's the spirit of people coming together, helping neighbors and volunteers who quietly step up to make others feel better, a description that the Duprats fully occupy. 

 

"Together they have created far more than a restaurant, they've created a gathering place, a place where conversations happen about family, community needs, local happenings, and yes, occasionally even recent trips to Walmart," said Hoyt. "At the Grind, people come for the food and coffee, but they stay because Becky and Maria have created a space that feels like home, and that's community, and their commitment to community goes far beyond the counter."

 

They've fed firefighters at a structure fire, sponsored Thanksgiving meals with all the fixing for 21 families last fall, donate the hot cocoa stand at the tree lighting and support downtown initiatives like Coffee in the Court. 

 

"Those are just the ones that they would tell me about and let me talk about, but I know that there are countless other examples, because these two have huge hearts," Hoyt said. "Becky and Maria consistently show up for this community quietly, generously, and without asking for recognition, and just like Steve Green, they stay in tune with what is happening around them."

 

It was a banner night for Adams as David Bissaillon, president and owner of Smith Brothers McAndrews Insurance, presented the Spirit of Future Award to Yina Moore, founder of the Adams Theater, a few doors down from the Daily Grind on Park Street.

 

"Yina has made a seismic impact on our future through the realization of her vision and hands-on approach to all the things required to achieve the nearly impossible work. ...

 

"Who, in their right mind, would start a theater?" said Bissaillon. "Well, Yina Moore did, and that is the spirit of the future."

 

Moore's vision, perseverance and being "a collaborator extraordinaire" has transformed the languishing venue into "becoming a gathering place, a creative home, and a symbol of renewed possibility for our region," he said.  

 

"After speaking with Ina, she shares with me that the Adams Theatre's progress is being achieved through repetition and incremental improvement, doing things and doing them again, and getting a little bit better, a little bit better. We're now in our fourth season, growth and experimentation."

 

Moore has also tapped into the hospitality industry by rejuvenating what had been the Topia Inn and the former Adams Rest Home into The Trail and the Revival House, respectively. 

 

The Spirit of Caring Award was presented to Gerald "Jerry" Desmarais by one of his former staffers, Mayor Jennifer Macksey. 

 

The retired treasurer from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts was selected as "an individual whose actions consistently demonstrate kindness, selfishness in a deep commitment to helping others. Someone who makes a community stronger simply by caring for the people and showing up," the mayor said. 

 

Desmarais has been involved with NBUW for nearly 30 years, starting out as an allocation specialist in 1997, then a member of the board of directors, and interim director twice. 

 

Whether through his willingness to lend a hand, his quiet dedication to others, or his genuine warmth he brings to every interaction," Macksey said. "Jerry has made a long-lasting impact on many lives and whoever he comes in contact with. He leads not for recognition but with heart, and that is exactly the spirit of this award.

 

"His generosity, humility, and unwavering support for others reflects the very best in our community. On behalf of everyone here tonight, it is my true honor to present this work to my dear friend Jerry."

 

All four award winners were presented with proclamations from the state House and Senate by state Rep. John Barrett III and Casey Pease, representing state Sen. Paul Mark.

 

Greylock Federal President and CEO John L. Bissell accepted the Workplace Campaign of the Year Award on behalf of "all the folks at Greylock who do such a superb job," giving a shoutout to particular staff for recognition. 

 

"To put together an organization that has the kind of impact that this one has requires selfless leadership," said Bissell. "It requires someone who thinks about the community first, not about themselves first, who goes about their work with humility and really thinks of the interests of others before their own. You can call that the spirit of caring. You can call it the United Way. I'll call it Patti Messina. That's how she operates."

 

Messina was nominated by Barrett as a Commonwealth Heroine, one of four names put forward from Berkshire County, and will be honored at the State House in June. 

 

Kelly McCarthy, president of the NBUW board, wrote a statement for the event that was read by Messina's daughter, Stephanie Martin.

 

"Commonwealth Heroines are women who don't always make the news, but truly make a difference," Martin read. "Patti was selected because she uses her time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others without fanfare or the need to be recognized."