It is our pleasure to announce that Mark Harris of Signature Associates in Pittsfield is named the 2015 Berkshire Good Neighbor.  This award is presented by the Berkshire County Board of Realtors for selfless service to a community organization or event. Mark was recognized for his outstanding work with the American Legion as well as a handful of other organizations.

Mark is most proud of his volunteer work for the American Legion. During his career in the Navy, Chief Harris was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon as well as various unit awards and citations. In addition to this service, he is most proud of his work with the American Legion, a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.

Mark’s service includes serving on the Board of Directors of the American Legion Inc. and serving as the Adjutant of American Legion Local Post 68. In these roles, he participates and works at many fundraisers and veteran support events in Berkshire County and beyond. His contributions also included involvement with the Berkshire Realtor Board, in the creation of the first annual Chili Cook-off for REACT (Real Estate Agent’s Charitable Taskforce), with proceeds earmarked for Veterans.

Mark also works on the Community Christmas Dinner at the American Legion and is passionate that no one is alone on Christmas. He delivers dinners on Christmas Day to those veterans that don’t have family and can’t make it to the community dinner. He also chairs the local Boys State and Girls State committee (an American Legion Program). In this role, the committee interviews and selects local high school students to take part in the state portion of the Boys and Girls State programs held at Stonehill College.

In addition to his considerable service with the American Legion, Mark has made numerous volunteer contributions in the Berkshires and beyond. Mark is involved in AARP; he volunteers to do tax preparation for seniors in Berkshire County and is certified to teach Drivers’ Education to seniors in Massachusetts. He founded the fund and helped raise the seed money for “Friends of Cardiac Rehab” which helps patients with co-pays at BMC Cardiac Rehab. He also volunteers teaching computer skills to children at Stearns School and built a shelving unit for their classroom. Every Thanksgiving, he delivers meals to families in need for The Christian Center. Mark also cooks and serves meals for the homeless at the South Congregational Church annually. He is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and after Hurricane Katrina he went to Pass Christian, Mississippi to help rebuild homes.

Mark has also given tremendous service and leadership to his local REALTOR Board, the Berkshire County Board of Realtors. He currently serves as a Director on the Multiple Listing Service Board of Directors. He is a member of the REACT Committee and Past Chair. Most recently, he helped bring in over $800 for The Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter with his team-mate Sherry Street of Realty Street at REACT’s second annual Battle of the Bartenders.

His wife and fellow Realtor, Lynn Arseneau, says “He’s also the guy that snow blows his elderly neighbors’ driveways each winter, takes care of those in need, and offers a helping hand to anyone he meets.”

As a community, we are extremely happy to have so kind and generous a soul as Mark Harris in our midst. Thank you Mark on behalf of the Berkshire Community for all of your tireless service! You are whole-heartedly appreciated!

You can send Mark best wishes to:

Mark D Harris
SIGNATURE ASSOCIATES
127 ELM ST
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201-
Office Phone – (413) 443-3441 ext. 12
mark@homesintheberkshires.com