Guest Column: Berkshire United Way's Call to Action During National Volunteer Week

"America's volunteers embody the core values that define our Nation: an optimism that is tested yet resolute; a courage that digs deep when we need it most; and an unshakeable faith in one another, our Nation, and the future we can build together."

These words open President Joe Biden's proclamation recognizing National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 21-27. The president's words focus on volunteerism at the national level, and I assure you the spirit of service is alive and well in the Berkshires.

At Berkshire United Way, we mark National Volunteer Week as the centerpiece of our own Here For Good Volunteer Month.

This past weekend, we partnered with Berkshire Bounty to help address the ongoing and growing challenge of food security in our community. Over 90 volunteers gathered at the Boys and Girls Club to package 40,000 servings of healthy, nutritious meals for distribution to local food pantries. We're helping organize volunteers to paint and prepare space for the Focus is Our Children youth program. On Friday, April 25, we're coordinating a spring cleanup at Soldier On. Then, on May 11, we will partner with the National Association of Letter Carriers on their annual Stamp Out Hunger  Food Drive.

These are just a few of the incredible projects happening now and in the coming days. We're grateful to every volunteer who lends their time and talent to serve their friends and neighbors in the Berkshires.

The great thing about volunteer service is that it's egalitarian, multi-generational, and fun! If you're looking for opportunities to give back, visit volunteerberkshireuw.org to learn more.

Tom Bernard is president and CEO Berkshire United Way.

Truck Crashes Into Pittsfield's Samel's Deli

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
10:55AM / Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Elm Street will be partially closed as cleanup continues. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wednesday morning was busy for Pittsfield first responders, as a pickup truck crashed into Samel's Deli & Catering and a fire broke out on First Street.

Around 9:45 a.m., the police reported that the street in front of Samel's Deli & Catering would be closed or down to one lane as a result of a two-car collision that sent the truck careening into the deli.

The department posted two photos on Facebook, one depicting the silver truck with New York license plates crashed through the glass of the front entrance and another of a white Honda CR-V with significant damage to the front end.

"A vehicle was coming out of one of the alleyways here and struck this truck, which continued into the building," Police Officer Craig Jones explained when iBerkshires arrived on the scene.

Jones reported that there was one injury but whether it was someone in the vehicles or in the deli. A crossing signal near Samel's front entrance was also taken out by the truck.

Around this time, crews worked to clear debris in front of the restaurant as the truck was towed away. That section of the road reopened around 11 a.m.

The police, firefighters and an ambulance responded to the accident and police intend to release a statement on the incident.

Around 6:15 a.m., the Fire Department reported that it had responded to a possible structure fire at 233-235 First St. Windows on all three floors of the multi-family building are now broken or boarded up and the cause is under investigation by the Fire Investigation Unit and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office.