SOUTH DEERFIELD — In a show of appreciation for first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, a local brewery plans to donate more than 1,500 cases of beer to police and fire departments across Western Massachusetts.
“They take and put their lives on the line,” said Gary Bogoff, president and founder of Berkshire Brewing Co. on Railroad Street. “(COVID-19) is a tough one. If you’re responding to a fire or a car accident, you can see what’s happening. This one that we’re dealing with is an invisible threat.”
Bogoff, who served for 15 years as an EMT and deputy fire chief at the Montgomery Fire Department, said he understands the pressure and challenges of the job.
“It’s a brother-sisterhood,” he added. “People that are willing to put themselves before their own self are a very special breed.”
Bogoff said he hopes the beer deliveries will put “a little smile on everybody’s face.” He added that Berkshire Brewing has had a close relationship with the community since it was founded in 1994, often working with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
The brewing company will likely coordinate its deliveries to police and fire departments with regular deliveries across Franklin County and throughout Western Massachusetts, Bogoff said.
“Right now, we’re still trying to communicate with all the various departments and that’s going to involve quite a bit of communication,” he said. “We’re just going to plug away until we succeed in getting everything everywhere.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne