Berkshire United Way launches Volunteer Center
Pittsfield — With the launch of the Berkshire United Way Volunteer Center, the organization will help connect community members with volunteer opportunities. Any nonprofit in the county can utilize the platform free of charge to post opportunities.
The BUW Volunteer Center is web-based software hosted by Galaxy Digital and managed by BUW director of volunteer engagement Brenda Petell. Nonprofits create and update their own profiles and provide volunteer opportunities, and individuals simply login and sign up directly with an agency to volunteer.
“There is a need for centralized volunteer coordination in the county now more than ever,” said Candace Winkler, BUW president and CEO. “Because of our long-standing relationships with businesses and employees in Berkshire County and our work with nonprofits, BUW is in a great position to help facilitate this important form of giving. Many nonprofits have lost volunteers during this public health crisis and are re-envisioning how to safely engage community members in their work. We are excited to assist in their efforts.”
The BUW Volunteer Center is possible thanks to the support of Greylock Federal Credit Union.
–E.E.
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Maguire receives award from the Actors Fund
Pittsfield — The Actors Fund has presented Berkshire Theatre Group artistic director/CEO Kate Maguire with the 2020 Encore Award for “demonstrating exemplary compassion and dedication to everyone in the entertainment community who brings the performing arts to our stages and screens.”
In 2010, Maguire guided the merger of Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge and the Colonial Theatre, resulting in the creation of BTG. In July, Maguire collaborated with Actors’ Equity Association, state and local legislatures, and health care leaders to earn AEA approval for BTG to produce the first musical in the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic (“Godspell”). Maguire has overseen several transfers of productions from the Berkshires to New York City, most recently “Children of a Lesser God” (Broadway), “The Stone Witch” (off-Broadway) and “Dutch Masters” (off-Broadway), all in 2018.
Maguire’s career in theater began as an actress when she was 4 years old in her hometown of Lowell, and she continues to perform. In the fall of 2015, she performed in “Poe,” a play about poet Edgar Allen Poe, at BTG’s Unicorn Theatre. She is a board member and treasurer of the Berkshire Business Roundtable, and a BTG trustee. Maguire also received the Ruth Boraski She Knows Where She’s Going Award from Girls Inc. of the Berkshires in 2014 and the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. “Quattrocchi Person of the Year Award” in 2017. In 2019, she was a nominee for the Mass Cultural Council Commonwealth Award. A graduate of Boston College, she lives in Richmond with her husband, director and actor Eric Hill.
–E.E.
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Berkshire HorseWorks receives educational grants
Richmond — Berkshire HorseWorks has received grants from the Latham Foundation and Oxbow Animal Health. “Each of these incredible grants comes at a critical time for us as we navigate the new COVID world and develop programming to support families in need in our community,” said founder and executive director Hayley Sumner.
The Latham Grant for Humane Education of $5,000 will support Berkshire HorseWorks’ “PEACE: Bully Prevention/Intervention” program, making it more widely available for Berkshire County students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The strength-based program incorporates ground-based metaphorical and role-playing activities that expose participants experientially to the real-time impacts of bullying in a fun and safe environment.
The $1,000 Oxbow Rescue Grant will aid in maintaining veterinary care and food for Berkshire HorseWorks’ two therapy donkeys, Bolt and Rodeo. While the world is on lockdown due to COVID-19, programming that typically supports care for the horses and donkeys has been put on indefinite hiatus. Oxbow’s donation will help the two miniature Sicilian donkeys achieve the quality of life they require, keeping them working uninterrupted despite closures.
–E.E.
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Shaker Museum appoints Fuller to board of trustees
Chatham, N.Y. — Shaker Museum has announced the election of Robert Fuller, group director of visual merchandising for Chanel’s corporate U.S. market, to its board of trustees.
Fuller leads visual merchandising for Chanel’s Fragrance and Beauté division for the entire U.S. His position at Chanel includes managing multimillion dollar budgets, creating detailed merchandising directives and strategizing with the marketing team on product launches. Drawn to the Shaker aesthetic, Fuller was a frequent visitor to the Shaker Museum historic site, staying at a nearby inn before becoming a permanent resident of Greene County. This is Fuller’s first time on a board of trustees.
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank welcomes Miller
Lakeville, Conn. — Salisbury Bank has announced that Diane Miller has accepted the position of vice president, residential lending manager.
Miller most recently worked as a consultant with various banks to implement systems like Encompass and MortgageBot, train staff and create efficiencies in their lending departments. Prior to that, she worked for 10 years for United Bank as a systems and compliance administrator overseeing lending systems, and worked closely with underwriting/processing and closing staff. She lives in East Hartford.
–E.E.
