Dalton ZBA Nixes Suicide Prevention Fundraiser, Berkshire Money Management Donates $10K

In the wake of the Dalton zoning board of appeals’ rejection of the major “Purgatory Road” fundraiser for Teen Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Money Management has donated $10,001 hours to the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention. The much-anticipated annual fundraiser, which has been running for nearly a decade, was slated to run at BMM’s offices at the Model Farm on Main Street for four days in October 2021. Unfortunately, it was shot down by the ZBA in an August 31, 2021 meeting, devastating organizers and volunteers, and the community, who came out on social media expressing their outrage at the decision.

In a press release from Berkshire Money Management, founder and CEO Allen Harris has this to say:  “I want to thank the community for their continued kind regards. The impact of COVID-19 on suicide rates has been unforgiving and the coalition needed this support more than ever. It’s a shame that abutters to this property, with what I perceive to be racist reasons, did not want a certain element from Pittsfield coming into Dalton’ – an element that they claimed included ‘gangs’ and would ‘decrease property values.’”

 According to iBerkshires recap of the ZBA meeting the event, which was previously held at Cleveland Road, is usually sold out and has drawn in nearly $175,000 since its founding in 2012. Berkshire Money Management is strongly encouraging the local community and beyond to join us in donating to the coalition to make up for these lost funds.

 “The Purgatory Road fundraiser to literally save young lives in our community has operated professionally and successfully for eight years,” says Harris. “It’s sad and disgusting that racism tried to veil itself as traffic and lighting concerns and will likely cause someone to lose their life because of it.”

If you would like to donate to the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, please visit their wesbite. To donate by check or money order, please make checks payable to: Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention (or BCSP) and mail to: BCSP, PO Box 472, Pittsfield MA 01202-472