Berkshire Bank Foundation Announces Winners of $20K
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Bank Foundation has announced the winners of a contest to award $20,000 to nonprofit organizations in its market area. The contest was part of the launch of Berkshire Bank’s new Web site and its "Join the Excitement" campaign.Through the contest, the public was invited to vote for their favorite non-profit organization through the bank’s new Web site or in writing at the foundation’s office. Those receiving the most votes in each of the Bank’s four regions – Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts, southern Vermont and the Capital District in New York - will receive a grant of $5,000. All non-profit organizations with a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status were eligible to participate.
More than 60,000 votes were cast in the contest and the new Web site received more that 80,000 visitors. The winners of the $5,000 grants are:
- Pioneer Valley: Rick’s Place, Wilbraham; provides bereavement support to families with young children who have experienced the death of a close family member. It was started in 2001 after the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center.
- Berkshire County: Berkshire Carousel, Inc., Pittsfield; its goal is to involve the Berkshire County community in the construction of a hand-carved Carousel in downtown Pittsfield for residents and visitors to enjoy.
- New York: Mohawk & Hudson Rivers Humane Society, Menands; established in 1887, helps to improve the lives of abused, neglected and abandoned animals through sheltering, adoption, education and advocacy throughout New York’s Capital region.
- Southern Vermont: Weston Playhouse, Weston; a non-profit regional theater dedicated to serving artists and audiences through dramatic works and educational programs.
The voting took place from November 15, 2009 to January 31, 2010. Results of the voting in each region are available at the bank’s Web site.
Checks will be presented to the winning organizations at awards ceremonies that the public and media are invited to attend. Berkshire Bank Foundation representatives will present a $5,000 check to the Berkshire County award winner, Berkshire Carousel, Inc., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 at noon at the Carousel’s headquarters at 5 Whipple St., Pittsfield.
