PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The annual Jimmy Bernardo Memorial Motorcycle Ride will conclude after more than 30 years raising funds for Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center Inc.

 

Kids' Place, in partnership with the Bernardo family, has announced a new legacy initiative in Jimmy's honor: the Jimmy Bernardo Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to graduating seniors from Pittsfield and Taconic high school. 

 

The scholarship is designed to support local students while also encouraging future generations to recognize the importance of child abuse prevention, building safe communities, and standing up for children who may not have a voice. Applicants will have the opportunity to reflect on these important issues and demonstrate how they plan to make a positive difference in their communities.

 

For many years, "Jimmy's Ride" served as a tribute to his life, bringing together community members from across Berkshire County and beyond in support of children and families impacted by abuse. The event became a meaningful tradition rooted in remembrance, resilience, and community action while helping to establish and sustain Kids' Place, which was incorporated in 1993 as the first Children's Advocacy Center in the state. 

 

The tragic abduction and murder of the 12-year-old in 1990 profoundly impacted the Berkshire County community. The Pittsfield native was taken from a local movie theater in October that year and his body was found a month later in Ithaca, N.Y. The case was ultimately solved, and his killer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. 

 

In the years that followed, community leaders, child advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and the Bernardo family recognized the need for a coordinated response to child abuse that would better protect children while supporting families through the investigative and healing process. 

 

The nationally accredited Kids' Place has served thousands of Berkshire County children over the past three decades by providing forensic interviews, family advocacy, trauma-focused mental health treatment, multidisciplinary team coordination, prevention education, and other specialized services — all at no cost to families. 

 

"Jimmy's legacy has always been about helping others," said Heather Williamson, program director of Kids' Place. "While the motorcycle ride is coming to an end, the values it represented — compassion, community, and protecting children — will continue through this scholarship. We hope it inspires young people to become advocates for children and to carry Jimmy's legacy forward for generations to come."

 

The ride has been a community tradition, supported by hundreds of riders, volunteers, families, businesses, and local organizations. Their dedication and generosity helped sustain the event for decades while ensuring that children experiencing abuse had access to compassionate services close to home. 

 

"The continued support of the community has truly been amazing and contributed to the longevity of the Jimmy Bernardo Motorcycle Ride," Mary Bernardo said. 

 

Kids' Place extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported the ride, with special recognition to Greylock Federal Credit Union, which served as the event's lead sponsor for more than 20 years. Its unwavering partnership, leadership, and commitment have played an instrumental role in the success of the ride and in advancing the mission of Kids' Place, say committee members. 

 

Additional information about the Jimmy Bernardo Scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application materials, will be shared with local schools in the coming weeks.