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Chairperson's Message
October 2005
The theme of last years message centered on the importance of strategic planning
and the high regard for our Chapter within the community. These truisms continued
throughout this year, not just for our multiple accomplishments, but also for the
courage to implement change in response to our altering environment. Specifically,
both your Board of Directors and Chapter Staff exemplified tremendous insight by
acknowledging that the composition of the county’s homeless population had
undergone a radical transformation during the decades that we had operated the
shelter. This acceptance led to the very difficult realization that our Chapter no longer
had the resources nor should we continue our efforts to operate Barton’s Crossing.
Achieving this understanding and the difficult process of transitioning the shelter to
the Berkshire Community Action Council encompassed much of our time and labors
during the year. However, it has led to a Chapter that can now focus on our remaining
primary programs and has brought accolades from a community thankful that we
know not just what we can do, but what we cannot!
And what have we done during 2005?
- Responded to 34 fires within the county, assisting 115 people.
- Provided 557 individuals with medical transportation encompassing 5,230 trips.
- Trained 9,109 people through our various health & safety programs.
- Aided 193 members of the military services.
- Assisted 56 HIV clients through 10,914 units of service and
- Instructed 1,230 students in HIV education.
- Collected 5,659 units of blood.
- Distributed 64,353 pounds of food to 11meal sites within the county.
- Fostered the importance of volunteerism for 26 teenagers through our youth program.
These amazing statistics illustrate the dedication and devotion of your Board,
Kathleen Philips and the Staff and, most importantly, the 711 volunteers without
whom the Chapter could not function. And all of this is without mentioning Katrina
that required a whole different level of effort on the part of the staff and those of us
who elected to serve within the disaster area.
In closing, I cannot thank all of you enough for what you do for the Chapter, the
county, and the nation; and I look forward to being your Board chair during 2006.
Thank You,
David Aldrich
Chair of the Board
Chairperson's Message 2005
Chairperson's Message 2004
Chairperson's Message 2002
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