Berkshire Bank contributes more than $18K to United Way
Date: 5/1/2012
May 2, 2012PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank and its charitable arms, Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc. and Berkshire Bank Foundation — Legacy Region, contributed $18,328.16 to United Way organizations in the Pioneer Valley through its 2012 United Way workplace campaign.
The money raised includes a corporate matching donation from the Foundation of $9,005.08, employee contributions of $9,005.08 and employee fund-raisers that generated an additional $318 through Berkshire Bank's popular BBAY raffle where donated items were auctioned off to the highest employee bidder.
The matching contribution from the bank's charitable foundation was a new effort in 2012 to help increase employee participation in the campaign while also recognizing the tremendous work United Way does in the community. Two different United Ways received support from Berkshire Bank in the Pioneer Valley including the United Way of the Pioneer Valley and the United Way of Franklin County.
Lori Gazzillo, assistant vice president of Community Relations at Berkshire Bank said, "We are so pleased to be able to support these critical organizations in such a significant way. As one of many employers in the Pioneer Valley, we are excited by the response of our team members who really came together to support this effort. The dollars raised for United Way go directly to many meaningful programs throughout our region meeting important needs. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed the United Way this year."
In addition to monetary giving, the foundation oversees the bank's growing Employee Volunteer Program that carries out group community service projects benefiting schools, non-profit organizations and communities within the bank's service area.
In 2011, Berkshire Bank employees completed 67 volunteer projects in which more than 50 percent of Berkshire's 800 employees participated donating over 26,000 hours of service through both company-sponsored and individual volunteer efforts to help their local communities.
Last month, Berkshire Bank received National Recognition from the American Banker Association for their community service efforts through their Employee Volunteer Program.
