BFAIR's Annual Meeting Gathered 175 Supporters

Katrina Cardillo • May 28, 2024

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 (North Adams, MA) – BFAIR held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at the Berkshire Hills Country Club with a gathering of over 175 staff, community partners and supporters.


Rich Weisenflue, CEO, and Peter Mirante, BFAIR Board Chair led the meeting. Mirante welcomed Pittsfield Mayor, Peter Marchetti, and Pittsfield City Council President, Pete White. The meeting included recognition of employees with five or more years of service, Keystone awards, and an inaugural presentation by Sally Petersen of the Hart Family Fund Award.


Guest speaker, Peter Johnson, inspired the room with his presentation, representing the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council, recounting his positive life experiences as well as his advocacy work on behalf of people with Down Syndrome and developmental disabilities.


Keystone Award Recipients:


Crosby/Quintal Memorial Award – Casandra Magner, ABI Residential House Manager - The Crosby/Quintal award is named in remembrance of two former employees for their commitment to equality, advocacy and human rights.


Edward Frampton Self-Determination Award - Kaytlyn Stringer, BFAIR supported individual - The Frampton Award is presented to a person served by BFAIR who achieved a personal goal.


Leadership Award - Kris Neep, Director of Community Based Day Services - The Leadership Award is a distinguished honor given to an employee that has accomplished professional leadership qualifications and opportunities.


Community Partners of the Year – Restaurant Partners who participated in BFAIR’s 1st Annual Dine for Disabilities event in Fall 2023 included The Barn, Boston Sea Foods, Brookhouse Pub, Grazie, Hot Harry’s, Olympic Pizza, On A Roll Cafe, Proprietor’s Lodge, and Zucchini’s Restaurant.


Hart Family Fund Award – Christine Meiklejohn, Director of ABI Residential Services. The Hart family has been engaged with BFAIR for over two decades through a family member receiving Day and Residential services. In 2023, they created the Hart Family Fund to support staff education assistance and appreciation to cultivate a more informed, well-trained team of employees committed to providing quality services for people served by BFAIR.


In addition to the Hart Family Fund, Tara Jacobsen, Director of Development, shared how donors and community support further BFAIR’s mission in several ways, including promoting independence, creating accessibility, and enhancing program resources on an individual basis and program wide.


Board members were recognized for their support of BFAIR’s mission and volunteer work. Officers elected for a two-year term include Pete Mirante, Chair, Kim Baker, Vice Chair, Andrew Briggs, Treasurer and Dana Johnson, Clerk. 


Also announced was that BFAIR is planning its 30th Anniversary Celebration on October 25th at the Williams Inn.


Thank you to the 2024 BFAIR Annual Meeting Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor – Greylock Federal Credit Union
Silver Sponsor – Laureyns United
Bronze Sponsors – KB Accounting and Shire Wealth Management

For a look at photos of the event, please visit BFAIR’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BFAIR771

 

About BFAIR

For over thirty years, BFAIR has been providing Adult Family Care (AFC), Residential, Employment and Day Services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, Acquired Brain Injury and Autism. BFAIR is a proud member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest.

 

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Katrina Cardillo

BFAIR Promotes Katrina Cardillo to Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations

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Ethel Altiery

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By Katrina Cardillo • March 11, 2025
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BFAIR 30th anniversary staff group photo

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