Making a difference, one volunteer hour at a time

April is National Volunteer Month. Every year hundreds of individuals, with various abilities, give thousands of hours as volunteers with Berkshire United Way. This doesn’t include the hours my colleagues spent volunteering outside of work at organizations throughout the county.

For some, it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills, build upon their knowledge and experience, or advocate for something they are passionate about. 

Positive Youth Development Coordinator, Kat Toomey, is passionate about mentoring; it was this passion that led Kat to become a mentor herself. Little did she know she would get just as much out of the relationship as she gave. “Mentoring changes both lives, making it the ultimate two-way street, yet it’s often seen as a one-lane highway. Something that often goes unnoticed when someone considers becoming a mentor is the new knowledge and experience you will gain. I can say from my own experience in a mentoring relationship with a young person, I have become more patient, open-minded, and understanding of the challenges youth are facing today,” she says.

The volunteer efforts of our team reflect the work we are doing as an organization to promote pathways for individuals and families to thrive. “Education plays a key role in the success of our children, and as the parent of a Pittsfield Public School student, I feel it’s important for me to be involved. Serving as a volunteer on the District’s Curriculum Advisory Council is a way for me to do that — I am able to use my voice to affect positive change and my participation enables me to remain informed,” shares Julie Golin, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications.

Volunteer Coach, Duffy Judge, pauses for a photo with his son, who is a player on his team.

The organizations below have each benefited from the time and talent of our team:

• Multicultural Bridge at Conte Community School
• Martin Luther King Day of Services
• National Alliance of Mental Illness in Berkshire County
• Temple Anshe
• Pittsfield Little League
• Jimmy’s Ride in support of Berkshire County Kids’ Place
• Adams Community Bank
• Monterey Friends of the Library Fundraising Committee
• Pittsfield Human Services Advisory Council
• Berkshire Community College Early Education Advisory Committee
• Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity
• Curriculum Advisory Council, Pittsfield Public School District
• Williamstown Youth Center
• Williamstown Cal Ripken

Each year, we shine a light on volunteers throughout our community, recognizing and thanking those who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference. Save the date for this year’s annual LIVE UNITED Community Celebration, at The Proprietor’s Lodge, on Thursday, April 25 from 4-6 p.m. and watch the event page on our website for details!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Duffy
Development Manager
berkshireunitedway.org