PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Bank employees will be volunteering throughout region as part of the bank's first annual Season of Service campaign.

More than 150 employees are expected to participate in the holiday Season of Service effort with all of the community service projects benefiting non-profit organizations and families across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Vermont.

Bank employees are also inviting the public to join with them from Nov. 26 to Dec. 21 to support local children and families in need this holiday season.

"We wanted to do something special to give back to our communities this holiday season," said Lori Gazzillo, assistant vice president of community relations, adding that the financial institution's Employee Volunteer Program is part of its commitment to the community. "Our monthlong 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."

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.

In Berkshire County, the program will feature Berkshire Bank branch offices and departments adopting children and families in partnership with the Department of Children & Families' Pittsfield office, which serves all of Berkshire County. In addition to their collection efforts for these local families, bank employees will participate in a variety of service projects including distributing Christmas gifts and food to families with the Salvation Army and teaming up with the Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross to wrap presents and raise funds for the Red Cross' programs at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough in December.

In 2011, more than half of the bank's employees donated more than 26,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations across the bank's service area. The bank also gives nearly $1.5 million annually to nonprofit organizations through the Berkshire Bank Foundation and Berkshire Bank Foundation – Legacy Region.