The Brien Center

The Brien Center

Annual UNICO Fundraiser Dinner

To Honor Retired Judge Rudolph A. Sacco

May 1, 2014 at the ITAM Lodge at 5:30pm.

Please join us in honoring Retired Judge Rudy Sacco for his unyeilding commitment and exceptional dedication to the mission of The Brien Center at our annual “UNICO Dinner”.  Building on the tremendous success of last year’s event, the Brien Center hopes to make this year’s dinner even more fun and more profitable. 

The BrienCenter is the only community based provider of mental health and substance abuse services inBerkshireCounty, serving more than 10,000 men, women and children each year.

The Brien Center needs your help to continue to make these services available for those who need them.

All proceeds from this event will support the programs for children and adults with substance abuse and mental health issues.

This year our evening will include a LIVE AUCTION and Raffle.  If you would like to donate an item and/or a gift certificate to help us raise funds to support this important work, please contact Mary Murphy at 413-629-1272 or Mary.Murphy@briencenter.org

Adult Tickets $30.00 Each – Chicken Parmesan

Children’s Tickets 10.00 Each – Pasta and Meatballs

On behalf of our clients, in particular the more than 4,000 children and adolescents who receive our help, thank you for your support!

On Saturday, August 17^th at 10:30 in the morning, a group of civic-minded cyclists will converge on Plaine’s Bike Ski Snowboard at 55 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield to raise money for local healthcare non-profits.  The beneficiaries of the ride include Pittsfield-based organizations: The Brien Center, HospiceCare in The Berkshires and Moments House.  

The ride seeks to bring together members of the therapeutic community and fitness industry for a fun day of recreation, friends and community spirit.  THE RIDE IS OPEN TO EVERYONE!  Riders will follow scenic Route 7 North, turn right onto Route 43 in Williamstown, then turn right onto Route 2 taking the fork right to 67 Main Street North Adams—Mediterra Bistro & Restaurant.  Owner Fahri Karakaya will donate 15% of the proceeds from lunch sales generated by the cyclists to the cause plus offer a $20 gift card for raffle. 

 Co-chairs Todd Fiorentino of Energy Rising Massage Therapy and Jim Czarnecki of Taking Shape via Indoor/Outdoor Fitness decided to organize this event to help local non-profits within the wellness industry in Berkshire County.  “It’s also a great way to meet new people while improving your overall fitness level,” said Fiorentino of Energy Rising.

Participants are asked to register to ride directly with Todd Fiorentino (todd@energyrising.net).  A registration sheet will be emailed to cyclists; it is $25 to register to ride.  (All riders are automatically entered in the raffle.)  The ride is expected to run 28 miles.  Companies with items to donate for the raffle are asked to contact Jim Czarnecki at jim@taking-shape.com.

If a cyclist needs a ride back to Pittsfield, s/he can include this in the registration email to Fiorentino and the biker will be put on a carpool list.  One week prior to the ride, participants will be asked to email their completed pledge sheets back to Fiorentino.  The owner of Plaine’s, Mitch Plaine, has kindly offered to provide technical assistance for riders en route in case of flat tires or mechanical issues.  Bike rental, helmets, etc. are also available.

Energy Rising and Taking Shape invite you to get involved!  Take steps to improve your health and that of the community by riding for a cause!  It’s a great way to close out the summer, have some fun and get inspired.  Not only that, it’s a fantastic way to train for the Josh Billings Run A Ground Triathlon.  We look forward to seeing you out on those rolling hills passing by the glistening waters of picturesque Pontoosuc Lake and the lush Greylock forest.  (Rain date is the following day, Sunday, August 18th.)