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Plans for new roof under way
By Conor Berry, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Aug 11, 2008
Monday, August 11 PITTSFIELD - Before they find themselves seeking shelter from the storm, the people who run the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center are hoping to raise enough money for a new roof. A new roof will allow them to continue administering the many programs they run from their headquarters, located at the corner of East and First streets in downtown Pittsfield.
"It's a very challenging time," acknowledged Regina Burgio, president of the Brigham Center Board of Directors.
Nonetheless, the nonprofit organization - whose goal is to empower boys and girls from preschool to high school - needs to raise $300,000 to replace the aging roof, Burgio said.
The roof has recently shown serious signs of wear and tear, leaving the inside of the building vulnerable to more damage. Burgio said water stains are evident on some interior wall sections.
The center's basketball court, for example, has suffered water damage from leaks, many of which have been temporarily patched. But there's no avoiding the roof issue, according to center officials.
"It is extremely important that the roof be repaired before another winter," said Kelly Baity, the center's chief executive officer.
About $3 million was raised a few years ago for the overall renovation of the building. But that amount fell short.
"We didn't quite reach our goal to raise all the money needed to finish the roof," said Burgio. "Now that time has come."
President of the board for about a year, Burgio first got involved with the Brigham Center in 1999 as a volunteer teacher. She soon became "connected and inspired" by working with local children, she said, leading to a nearly decade-long relationship with the organization.
The latest fundraising initiative is known as the "Roof Over Our Heads" campaign. The home page of Brigham's Web site - www.brighamcenter.org - has a large link to the "Roof" campaign, including details about how the public can donate money.
"We are reaching out to the people in the community," said Burgio. "Their financial commitment will assure that the children of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center can continue with the programs they look forward to each and every day."
The center describes itself as an organization dedicated to "empowering children and youth, with a special emphasis on girls, to become responsible, confident and personally fulfilled individuals."
The East Street center locally runs the national Girls Inc. program, a popular youth program, and provides services ranging from day care to a day camp. The Brigham Center is sustained by state and federal funding, membership fees, grants and donations.
Anyone wishing to contribute may send a tax-deductible donation to: Brigham Center, 165 East Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, or phone the center at (413) 442-5174, ext. 12.
To reach Conor Berry: cberry@berkshireeagle.com ; (413) 496-6249.
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