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Berkshire-based Zogics has received certification for its worksite wellness program from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Biz Briefs: Zogics Awarded Massachusetts Wellness Tax Credit

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Working out: For the second year in a row, Berkshire-based Zogics has received certification for its worksite wellness program from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This certification allows Zogics to claim a $10,000 Wellness Tax Credit for tax year 2017. The Massachusetts Wellness Tax Credit Incentive program gives qualifying businesses in Massachusetts a state tax credit for having a certified wellness program.

Wellness has long been a cornerstone of Zogics, an e-commerce company that serves the health and fitness industry. "The Wellness Tax Credit will help support our goal of building the healthiest workplace in the country," said Zogics CEO Paul LeBlanc. "Wellness is an essential part of our culture. We chose the Berkshires as our home so we'd be in the middle of a world-renowned hub of health and wellness resources. We also implemented flexible schedules, unlimited PTO, incentivized participation in athletic competitions, subsidized organic community supported agriculture (CSA) shares and more."

The Zogics headquarters boasts an array of ergonomic office furniture, a newly installed clean air system, and the employee favorite — an onsite company gym that is easily transformed to meet the needs of staff. The onsite gym has become home to regularly scheduled boot camp classes led by professional trainers, dance classes, indoor cycling sessions and more. "While Zogics has always had a wellness program in place, the most recent expansions to our lineup, made possible through the Wellness Tax Credit, have boosted productivity, engagement, and morale in the office," LeBlanc said.

This passion for wellness has driven Zogics to help other companies implement their own workplace wellness solutions. "We want to see more companies enjoy the benefits of worksite wellness. For example, according to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, employers who invest in their employees' wellness see, on average, a 28 percent decrease in sick days and a 26 percent reduction in health costs. And from the American Journal of Health Promotion comes one of the most financially compelling arguments: the average return on investment (ROI) is $2.38 for every dollar spent on employee wellness," LeBlanc said. Zogics now works with businesses around the country to organize evidence-based health services, implement training programs that increase employee safety and reduce workplace injuries, and design and outfit company gyms.

Zogics.com is a leading supplier to health and fitness professionals. Information can be found on its website. The Massachusetts Wellness Tax Credit is available to qualifying Massachusetts businesses that employ 200 or fewer workers.

 

Giving guide: The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will publish the secnd annual "Giving Back" guide in the fall. Designed to connect nonprofits with those who want to volunteer or donate, the publication is distributed free throughout Berkshire County through the support of advertisers and sponsors.

Officially titled "Giving Back: Your Guide to Charitable Opportunities in the Berkshires," the booklet features a directory of 1,000 Berkshire nonprofits organized by category. Full page profiles of participating nonprofits reveal information such as mission and program description, budget and staff size, and ways to help. Inspirational quotes and practical articles aimed at nonprofits and volunteers are sprinkled throughout.



Berkshire nonprofits are encouraged to verify the accuracy of their free listing in the directory by going online. Local businesses who want to support this project can find advertising information online as well.



Caring and sharing: Greylock Federal Credit Union's Greylock Employee Community Giveback Program raised $3,555 for three cancer support organizations: Pop Cares, Moments House and the Denise Kaley Fund. Each organization received $1,185. Greylock Federal Credit Union staff recently formed GECGP to annually support a worthy cause in the community. This is the program's first year.

Cindy Shogry-Raimer, Greylock VP/Community Development director, said this is an employee-driven effort and the fundraising event was attended by Greylock staff and their families. Raffles, an auction and other activities were held to raise money for this important cause.

GECGP Committee members include Emily Stanford, Jean Noel, Cindy Shogry-Raimer, Dawn Carlson, Becki Beron, Terry Ziemba, Marissa Kirchner, Anna Flynn and Jennifer O'Neil.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Community Hero of the Month: Officer Joshua Tracy

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
LEE, Mass.—Lee Police Department patrolman Joshua Tracy has been selected for the February Community Hero of the Month. 
 
The Community Hero of the Month series runs for the next 9 months in partnership with Haddad Auto. Nominated community members and organizations have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on their community. 
 
Tracy has been an officer in the Berkshires for seven years, working for multiple departments including North Adams, Pittsfield, and as of approximately 5 months ago, Lee. 
 
Prior to being an officer, Tracy served 12 years in the Army National Guard. He became an officer when he left the service because it not only allowed him to help others, which he knew he enjoyed, but allowed him to utilize his military training. 
 
When on a call, Tracy knows he is likely walking into someone's worst day, which is why he strives to be a dependable person for the people out in the community, he said. 
 
"I think the thing that I think about the most of making an impact is showing up on these calls that we go on and de-escalating and calming the situation down," Tracy said. 
 
"You know, most of the time when we show up, it's because someone's having one of their worst days or just a really bad day."
 
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