Annual Benefit | Past Events
This annual benefit event celebrates cultural diversity and supports BIC’s crucial work serving local immigrants and the immigrant community.
All donations help fund the life-changing services of the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield, serving the estimated 10,000 immigrants of Berkshire County. To make a donation to support BIC’s important work, please click the button below.
2025
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Berkshire Immigrant Center annual benefit, Beacon of Hope, was a live benefit performance honoring cultural diversity and supporting BIC’s crucial work serving local immigrants. The 2025 event featured opening remarks from Melissa Canavan & Josh Hochberg ( (Executive Director & Board President), music by Lakou Mizik: a powerhouse collective of Haitian musicians united in a mission to use the healing spirit of music to communicate a message of pride, strength, and hope for their country; a premiere screening of Standing Together, a short film about people whose lives have been changed by BIC; and a paddle raise with auctioneer Rachel Orkin-Ramey, followd by a Social hour and generous hors d’oeuvres by Some Things Fishy Catering.
Many thanks to our major sponsors: Lead Sponsors: Sherwood Guernsey & The Gilson Family Foundation, Lead Business Sponsor: Greylock Federal Credit Union. The Beacon of Hope benefit committee: Chair Linda Ruberto, BIC Board Members Kate Barton & Marianna Poutasse, Lisa Avery, Laurie Bank, Palma Fleck & Melissa Myers, and BIC’s Board Members. Oskar Hallig y Mike Zippel of Only In My Dreams Events, Some Things Fishy Catering, LTD, Katherine Casey of Little Fin Creative, & Ryan Cowdrey of Clayson Creative. Generous in-kind donors: Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines, Hot Plate Brewing Company, Eric Korenman Photography, & Michael Nancollas of Handful Photography. Team BIC shares its appreciation to everyone at Shakespeare & Company for their gracious & supportive hosting of the Beacon of Hope benefit.
2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Berkshire Immigrant Center annual benefit, Beacon of Hope, was a live benefit performance honoring cultural diversity and supporting BIC’s crucial work serving local immigrants. The 2024 event featured Andean-inspired jazz by Natalia Bernal & the En Diablada Quintet; a premiere screening of Lighting The Way, a short film about people whose lives have been changed by the Center; and a paddle raise with auctioneer Rachel Orkin-Ramey, followd by a social hour with complimentary drinks & heavy hors d’oeuvres by Some Things Fishy Catering.
Many thanks to our major sponsors: Lead Sponsors: Sherwood Guernsey & The Gilson Family Foundation, Lead Business Sponsor: Greylock Federal Credit Union; generous in-kind donors: Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines, Hot Plate Brewing Company, Kwik Print, Inc., Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, & David Dashiell; and the Beacon of Hope Benefit Committee: Co-Chair Marianna Poutasse, BIC Board President Kate Barton, Lisa Avery, Laurie Bank, Linda Ruberto, Mary Spina, and BIC’s Board Members.
Team BIC shares its appreciation to everyone at Shakespeare & Company for their gracious & supportive hosting of the Beacon of Hope Benefit.
2023
Sunday, June 4, 2023
BIC’s 4th annual One World Celebration featured performances by The Wanda Houston Band, Natalia Bernal and Jason Ennis (voice & guitar), and Master of Ceremonies James Warwick with State Representative William "Smitty" Pignatelli (Paddle Raise Auctioneer).
To view images from this year’s event, please visit our 2023 One World Celebration photo album. For details on speakers, performers, and our generous event sponsors, please view the Digital Program (English) or the Online Program (Spanish).
Many thanks to our major sponsors: Lead Sponsor: Sherwood Guernsey, Producing Sponsor: The Gilson Family Foundation, Lead Business Sponsor: Greylock Federal Credit Union Special; generous in-kind donors: Classical Tents and Party Goods, Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines, Hot Plate Brewing Company, Katunemo: Art & Healing, and Klara’s Gourmet Cookies; and the One World Celebration Committee: Lisa Avery & Mary Spina, Co-Chairs Kate Barton & Marianna Poutasse, and BIC’s Board Members.
2022
Sunday, June 12, 2022
BIC’s 3rd annual One World Celebration featured performances by Jorge Ávila on violin, Oren Fader on guitar, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, and Master of Ceremonies James Warwick.
For details on speakers, performers, and our generous event sponsors, please view the Digital Program.
Many Thanks to our 2022 One World Celebration Lead Sponsor: Sherwood Guernsey, our Lead Business Sponsor: Greylock Federal Credit Union, and our One World Celebration Committee: Marianna Poutasse (Chair), Lisa Avery, Kate Barton, Rachel Beckwith, Lexie Bullard, Alicia Christoff, Auric Enchill, Jenn Gomez, Pam Rich, Michelle Lopez (BIC Executive Director), Sheryl Lechner (BIC Development Director).
2021
Sunday, Jun 13, 2021
BIC’s 2021 One World Celebration brought together virtual performances by Irene Willis, Paul Green, Ocean Vuong, Alfred Enchill, Naomi, Shihab Nye, Otha Day, Eleanore Velez, Wanda Houston, Jim Haba, Lisken Van Pelt Dus, and Yehuda Hanani; featured poems from a new anthology, What They Bring: the Poetry of Migration and Immigration; and Master of Ceremony, James Warwick.
Many Thanks to our 2022 One World Celebration Lead Sponsor, Sherwood Guernsey in memory of Carol Guernsey.
The Berkshire Immigrant Center offers comprehensive immigration services for the more than 10,000 foreign-born residents of Berkshire County. Immigrants comprise 10% of the county and are the only growing segment of the region’s population. BIC’s mission is to welcome new immigrants and refugees and to provide them with the tools and services to integrate into the fabric of their new community to achieve financial stability and family success. Learn more about Our Mission.