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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Police Investigating Car, Pedestrian Accident Near Allendale Shopping Center

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A pedestrian was hit near the Dalton Avenue and Cheshire Road intersection Saturday evening, and the roadway was closed for a few hours. 

On November 14, around 6:40 PM, the Pittsfield Police Department, Pittsfield Fire Department, and Action Ambulance responded to the area of 16 Cheshire Rd. for a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. 

Upon arrival, responding officers located a male lying in the northbound lane with "obvious injuries," PPD said. 

"Initial investigation showed that the victim was walking eastbound in the crosswalk in front of 16 Cheshire Rd when he was struck by a 2006 Chevy Malibu, traveling north," PPD wrote on Sunday. 

"The operator of the vehicle was uninjured in the collision, and the victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with potentially life-threatening injuries."

Cheshire Road was closed for about four hours between Dalton Avenue and the entrance to Allendale Shopping Center while the accident was investigated and cleared up. The roadway reopened around 10:30 PM. 

The FairBridge Inn Express is located at 16 Cheshire Rd.

The accident remains under investigation by the Pittsfield Police Traffic Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or may have witnessed this vehicle traveling on Dalton Ave shortly before the accident is asked to contact Sergeant David Hallas at 448-9700 Ext. 560 or Officer Matthew Farnham at Ext. 531.

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