Biz Briefs: Senior Crimestoppers Boosted by Berkshire Bank
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Stopping crime: Berkshire Bank have joined CRA Partners and is helping vulnerable seniors by funding the Senior Crimestoppers program.
CRA Partners, powered by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, is a national organization that guarantees banks federally mandated CRA credit through the operation of the turn-key Senior Crimestoppers program, providing safe and secure living environments for the nation's low to moderate income seniors.
Berkshire Bank was approached by CRA Partners to participate in Senior Crimestoppers and gladly accepted, choosing the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington, Vt., to be the site of their funding. Berkshire Bank has a history of making banking easier for our servicemen and servicewomen by providing discounts, money management tools, banking and lending offers to save money so they can make the most of life’s exciting moments. Implementing Senior Crimestoppers' programming into the Vermont Veterans Home serves as an extension of the dedication of Berkshire Bank to the servicemen and servicewomen of our country.
A ceremony was held to present Vermont Veteran’s Home with a plaque to signify their acceptance of Senior Crimestoppers into their location on Aug. 4.
Women in business: 1Berkshire is seeking ideas and suggestions for recognition of Women in Business during the month of October.
The organization will be utilizing our social media channels, e-communications, website and scheduled events to honor this theme throughout the month. This is a great opportunity for organizations or employees to be recognized for their contributions.
Submit ideas pertaining to your business or any business in the Berkshires by emailing events@1berkshire.com.
Grand opening: As a kick-off to Lee’s Founders Weekend festivities, October Mountain Financial Advisors, located at 103 West Park St., will hold a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m., followed by an open house. The public is invited to attend the event, which will feature remarks by State Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, Colleen Henry, executive director of the Lee Chamber of Commerce, Chuck Leach, president of Lee Bank, and Michael Matty, president and director of St. Germain Investment Management.
October Mountain Financial Advisors, an alliance of Lee Bank and Springfield-based St. Germain Investment Management, provides asset management, financial planning, trust administration, private banking, and credit services to clients in Berkshire County and throughout New England, with a singular focus on the client and not on the demands of Wall Street or shareholders.
As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, October Mountain’s Managing Director Gary Schiff will present checks totaling $10,000 to benefit six nonprofit community organizations including the Lee Food Pantry, the Lee Senior Center, the Lee Youth Association, the Literacy Network of South Berkshire, Berkshire South Regional Community Center, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires.
October Mountain Financial Advisors is wholly comprised of Berkshire-based professionals, including Managing Director Gary M. Schiff; Timothy W. Suffish, senior vice president and head of equities; Richard R. Bleser, vice president, portfolio manager; Matthew R. Farkas, vice president, portfolio manager, and Thaddeus S. Welch, portfolio manager; along with Lee Bank’s Marianne Fresia, assistant vice president, private banking and trust services.
