Berkshire Bank announces 'Season of Service' giving back campaign

Date: 12/4/2012

PITTSFIELD – Berkshire Bank is excited to announce their first annual "Season of Service" holiday giving back campaign.

Berkshire Bank employees will carry out a variety of community service related projects throughout cities and towns where Berkshire Bank does business through Dec. 21. Berkshire Bank employees are also inviting the public to join with them to support local children and families in need this holiday season.

More than 150 Berkshire Bank employees are expected to participate in the holiday "Season of Service" effort with all of the service projects benefiting non-profit organizations and families across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. The projects were selected and organized by Regional Employee Volunteer Committees, consisting of employees who help oversee the bank's Employee Volunteer Program in their areas under the guidance of the Berkshire Bank Foundation.

As part of the effort, all Berkshire Bank branches in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts have teamed up with the Department of Children and Families and local Boy's and Girl's Clubs to collect gifts for local families in need. Donations are being accepted at any Berkshire Bank location in the Pioneer Valley through Dec. 14.

The public is invited to stop by their local office to see which items are needed from the "Giving Tree." Bank employees will also volunteer their time at the Springfield Rescue Mission throughout the month to complete two service projects.

Lori Gazzillo, assistant vice president of community relations, stated, "We wanted to do something special to give back to our communities this holiday season. Part of what makes us America's Most Exciting Bank is our company's commitment to our community including the work our employees do through our Employee Volunteer Program. Our month long 'Season of Service' is an extension of this program and allows us to use our time and talents to have an impact the communities that we serve. We hope our efforts this holiday season will inspire others to give of their time, treasure, and talents to make our communities a better place."

In 2011, more than 50 percent of Berkshire Bank's employees donated over 26,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations across the bank's service area. The Volunteer Program is another way for the bank to give back to communities it does business in, in addition to the nearly $1.5 million it gives away annually to nonprofit organizations through the Berkshire Bank Foundation and Berkshire Bank Foundation – Legacy Region.