Hammertown reception to benefit local funds
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - For its fourth consecutive year, Hammertown Barn, the award-winning home and lifestyle store, will host a public reception and auction at its Pine Plains, NY location (3201 Route 199). The reception will benefit the Fund for Columbia County and Northeast Dutchess Fund.This year, the two funds will donate the proceeds to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) programs for Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties. N2N is a new initiative of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The event will be on Saturday, September 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and will feature a live and silent auction, with wine and food from local farms and restaurants. Auction items will include a tour of the White House, several pieces of vintage jewelry, a tour and dinner at the Culinary Institute of America, and a luncheon and tour of Bunny Williams’ estate. For a full list of auction items, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/hammertown.
In addition to hosting the reception, Hammertown Barn will donate 10 percent of sales at all three Hammertown locations (Pine Plains, Rhinebeck, Great Barrington) from September 26 through October 4 to Berkshire Taconic. Hammertown Barn features a unique collection of goods, including jewelry, gift baskets, and a wide array of antiques and home furnishings.
“We are thrilled with how much this event has grown due to support from our communities,” said Joan Osofsky, the owner of Hammertown Barn. “Neighbor-to-Neighbor provides crucial help to those in dire need and I’m delighted that we can support such a good cause and give shoppers the opportunity to do so as well, especially in these difficult times.”
Food and wine for the event is being donated by many local vendors, including The Amazing Real Live Food Company, Stissing House, The Farmer’s Wife, Gigi Trattoria, Mad Rose Ranch, Mercato, Salsa Fresca, Vervacious and Red Devon.
“This is a wonderful opportunity,” said Sally Berg, chair of the Fund for Columbia County. “People get to have fun, support a good local business, and at the same time give back to their own communities. The more, the merrier!”
Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) is a new region-wide effort of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation that provides funds to individuals and families who are in great difficulty and need an emergency financial boost in a particular area of their lives to help stabilize their immediate situation. N2N makes small grants (generally $500) to help those with overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs, and transportation problems. Checks are written to the vendor (landlord, utility company, pharmacy or doctor) on behalf of the client in need. The funds are not intended for long-term or ongoing assistance, but for strategic intervention to help achieve a measure of stability and avert further crises. Referral from a social service agency is required for N2N assistance.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2008 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $9 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. For more information visit www.berkshiretaconic.org.
