Construct Inc. to Hold Annual MayFest Event
(Great Barrington, Mass.) - In what has become a Berkshire County tradition, Construct Inc. will host its annual MayFest event on Monday, May 9, at Camp Eisner in Great Barrington. The celebration, which includes tastings from nearly 30 area restaurants, live music from and 8 Foot River and magic from world re-known magician and mentalist Ken Salaz, dream fulfillment, beer, wine and the world premier of a brand new cocktail, will begin at 5:30 pm. Proceeds raised will go towards the construction of a new community room and expansion of Construct’s programs and services to continue to serve the south Berkshire region in the upcoming year.
On May 9, partygoers will be asked to make dreams come true. Construct Inc. has spent over four decades working to make dreams come true. These dreams range from earning a GED and having a roof overhead, to catching a ride to work and sleeping in a warm bed. Construct’s staff has created a list of 12 dreams for 2011. They range from $80 in gas cards (dream 1) to $800 for a washer & dryer for the Construct main house (dream 5) to $18,000 for a maintenance truck with a snowplow (dream 11). At the top of the list is the addition of a new Community Room at Construct Headquarters that will be used for classes, community meetings, and a place for community members to contribute and share their life experience and skills. Dream 12 runs at a price tag of $120,000.
This addition to the Women’s House will be named “Priscilla’s Room” in memory of Jack Stern and his wife Priscilla. Rabbi Jack Stern was a valued member of Construct’s board for the past ten years. He was a wise teacher, a treasured friend and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Jack died suddenly on Thursday, April 15. At Mayfest, Construct will pay tribute to this extraordinary man and honor his commitment to a better life for all with the building of this new gathering room.
The event will also include the exciting world premier of the Festini, a brand new cocktail that will become the official drink of MayFest. While guests dine on food from the best local restaurants they will sip on this custom cocktail designed by Adrian Holliday, head bartender at The Old Mill in South Egremont.
For over four decades, Construct has been a leader in the Berkshire’s fight against homelessness. Each year Construct helps prevent homelessness for over 600 households, serves about 11,000 meals, shelters an average of 45 homeless men and women and provides adult education to 35 homeless adult learners with more than 10 each year graduating with their GED. Approximately $42,000 is given out in financial assistance to prevent loss of housing for families with children. The owner or manager of 63 units of affordable mixed income housing, Construct also specializes in small housing projects with supportive services available to those who are at risk of losing their housing or who are chronically homeless. In these trying times, help like this is more needed than ever. Calls for emergency services went from twenty a day last year to thirty seven a day and requests for fuel assistance nearly doubled. The waiting lists for beds increased, and food costs were through the roof.
Nearly 40% of Construct’s funding comes from the local community through private donations. MayFest is a celebration of the community’s generosity and the significant support that has been provided for so many families and individuals who have been in crisis with their housing.
Tickets to MayFest are $75 each. The Eisner Camp is located at 53 Brookside Road in Great Barrington. For tickets and/or more information please call . or visit the Construct website .
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