Berkshire Bank Foundation Awards More Than $200,000 To County Nonprofits

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Bank Foundation has awarded $202,416 in grants and pledges to 41 non-profit organizations in Berkshire County during its third quarter grants cycle.  

Some of the organizations receiving support include the Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Innovation Center, Pittsfield Public Schools, Literacy Network of Southern Berkshire, The Christian Center, Elder Services of Berkshire County, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Railroad Street Youth Project, the Dalton CRA and Construct Inc.

·  Berkshire Museum based in Pittsfield received a grant to support their educational programs for local schools.

·  Berkshire Innovation Center based in Pittsfield received a grant to support their internship incentive program, which will help businesses hire interns to work in important STEM fields with the goal of retaining them after college.

· Pittsfield Public Schools based in Pittsfield received a grant to support BRIDGE mentoring programs Happiness Toolbox.

· Literacy Network of Southern Berkshire based in Lee received a grant to support their new tutor training program.

· The Christian Center based in Pittsfield received a grant to support the WestSide Children’s Enrichment program.


· Elder Services of Berkshire County based in Pittsfield received a grant to support their Meals on Wheels program.

· Elizabeth Freeman Center based in Pittsfield  received a grant to support their annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event and Money School program.

· Railroad Street Youth Project based in Great Barrington received a grant to support their Railroad Street Apprenticeship program.

· Dalton CRA based in Dalton received a grant to support their CRA/DYC Youth programming.

· Construct, Inc. based in Great Barrington  received a grant to support The Project Home Collaborative.

“We are proud to support these non-profit organizations in the important work that they are doing to contribute to the economic and educational vitality of the communities that we serve," Lori Gazzillo, vice president and Foundation director. said. "We are proud to play a small role in all of their efforts and look forward to working together to make our communities stronger.”

In addition to financial support, the XTEAM, the Bank’s nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program, provides employees with paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours. In 2014, over 70 percent of Berkshire Bank’s employees provided more than 40,000 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 the communities where it does business. In recognition of their work in the community, Berkshire Bank has received more than two dozen awards and accolades, most recently being named by the Boston Business Journal as one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies for the third consecutive year.


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Steel Rail Races Return Sunday, Route 8 Motorists Use Caution

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Drivers traveling along Route 8 in Cheshire and Adams should expect delays, lane restrictions, and intermittent closures on Sunday, May 17, due to the MountainOne Steel Rail Races.
 
Local police, race officials, and DPW teams will be coordinating traffic control throughout the morning to ensure runner and driver safety.
 

Race Day Traffic Impacts

• Route 8 Delays — Expect slowed traffic and periodic holds between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. especially near trail access points and designated crossing zones.
 
• Cheshire Center Impacts — Increased pedestrian activity and police?directed traffic near Church St., Farnams Rd., and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail entrance.
 
• Adams Travel Restrictions — North Adams line through downtown Adams will see rolling closures as runners pass key intersections.
 
• Rail Trail Crossings — Motorists should use caution at all Ashuwillticook Rail Trail crossings; officers will be stationed at high?traffic points.
 

Timing & Areas of Highest Impact

6:30 to 9 a.m.
Marathon and Half Marathon staging creates congestion near Cheshire Elementary School and Rt. 8 trail access.
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