Northern Berkshire United Way to Hold its 5th Annual Spirit of Caring and Awards Celebration

 

North Adams, MA - Northern Berkshire United Way (NBUW) held its 5th Annual Spirit of Caring and Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 25th from 5 - 7 pm at the NORAD Mill, 3 West Events. The celebration recognized individuals in the community for their length and breadth of service to Northern Berkshire United Way, its network, and the overall Northern Berkshire community.

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Gold Sponsors:  Greylock Federal Credit Union, Smith Bros.-McAndrews Insurance and Specialty Minerals.

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Spirit of the Future

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Matt Tatro was presented the “Spirit of the Future” Award.  He began his culinary career as a dishwasher at the LaVeranda Restaurant and working his way through middle and high school at The Mill on the Floss. Matt graduated from Drury High School and went on to study Business Management and Marketing at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI.  While in college, Matt held the Chef de Cuisine title at a popular Bristol waterfront Indian/American infusion restaurant, DeWolfe Tavern. After college, Matt relocated to MetroWest Boston and held his first Executive Chef Position at The Biltmore and The Local, both in Newton, MA. In 2016, Matt opened Grazie Italian Ristorante with his business partner. Three years later, Matt outfitted a small food truck that later became a brick-and-mortar storefront, Tres Ninos Taqueria, a special taco concept named after his three sons. 

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"Spirit of Community"

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Dave Bissaillon was presented with the “Spirit of Community” Award for his many years of service as a volunteer and supporter to Northern Berkshire United Way. Dave is the Owner and President of Smith Brothers McAndrews Insurance Agency in Adams. He earned a Bachelors in Business Administration and Marketing from Bryant University, is a Certified Insurance Counselor and a proud life-long resident of Adams. Community and volunteerism are important to Dave and is evident in his many commitments which include: Chair of the Plunkett Hospital Trustees Group, co-chair of ProAdams, Member of the Berkshire Workforce Board, Corporator for the Adams Community Bank, and Member of the Adams Theater Fundraising Committee. His former community endeavors are too numerous to count but include such organizations as the Adams-Cheshire School Educational Board, the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and the United Way.

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"Al Nelson Spirit of Caring"

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Rosalie Girard was presented the “Al Nelson Spirit of Caring” Award, an award named after the first recipient and former NBUW Executive Director, for her years of dedicated service to Northern Berkshire. Rosalie is the recently retired Executive Director of Berkshire Nursing Families which she founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit comprehensive lactation support program that serves almost 800 pregnant and breastfeeding families per year in Berkshire County. Prior to that, she volunteered with Berkshire Nursing Mothers from 1984 to 1998. Her work with infant feeding was inspired by the births of her 4 children and the need for technical assistance and support that she saw around her.