Construct Launches 18th Annual Warm Up the Winter Campaign
GREAT BARRINGTON — Construct announced its 18th annual campaign to Warm Up the Winter for South Berkshire County residents facing hardships due to winter weather. The campaign raises funds for wintertime emergency assistance for fuel and utilities and short-term accommodations for unhoused residents in extreme cold conditions. This year, the Southern Berkshire nonprofit aims to raise $150,000.
“The winter months pose serious challenges for many Berkshire households,” said Jane Ralph, Construct’s executive director. “We’ve already experienced a colder and snowier winter than in recent years. Folks must now buy at least 150 gallons of fuel for most companies to come out. We know people will have to choose between heat and prescription medicines or food — choices no one should make.”
Funds raised from Warm Up the Winter will help households in South Berkshire County. Contributions can be made at constructberkshires.org, by phone to (413) 528-1985, or by check payable to Construct, 316A State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Construct is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and contributions to the campaign are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. People in need of emergency winter assistance can contact Construct at (413) 528-1985.
Sponsors for the Warm Up the Winter include legacy presenting sponsor the Schnesel Family Fund, the Gilson Family Foundation, Judy and Alan Marash, the Jewish Women’s Foundation; Elizabeth and Thomas Marino, Roger and Barbara Manring, Greylock Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank, Webster Landscape, Tristan Osgood Warm Up the Winter for People Fund, and Richard Glaser.
The Warm Up the Winter campaign will culminate with a benefit concert on Thursday, March 6 at the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington. This year’s event, which is a tribute to working families, includes musical guests Wanda Houston and Jeff Gonzales in Big and Bigger; Made in Memphis, a youth Elvis tribute band with Jackson Ducharme; Wild and Orson Handel, a brother-and-sister guitar and voice duo; Luke and George Franco, a father-and-son guitar and banjo duo; Abe and Annie Guthrie; Jackson Whalan’s improvisational rap; and special guest Doug Mishkin.
For more information about the campaign and the benefit concert, visit constructberkshires.org.