Berkshire Bank's Foundation Donates to 160 Nonprofit Organizations

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Bank announced over $660,000 in philanthropic investments from its foundation during the third quarter of 2022. 
 
According to a press release, the grants awarded cover a range of projects that help foster community diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused programs, support education and youth, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves.
 
These investments also support the company's BEST Community Comeback, which includes a planned $15 million in community contributions by the end of 2024.
 
"We are so pleased to support nonprofit organizations once again with philanthropy to sustain vital community services in all the regions that Berkshire Bank serves during challenging economic times. Since January 2022, the Berkshire Bank Foundation has provided nearly $2 million to support the needs of the community," said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Foundation Director.
 
Recipients:
 
Albany Medical Center Foundation (NY)
American Cancer Society (NY)
Art Resource Collaborative For Kids (ARCK) (Mass)
Ascentria Care Alliance, Inc. (Mass)
Bennington Area Habitat for HuMassnity (Vt)
Berkshire County ARC, Inc. (Mass)
Berkshire County Education Task Force (Mass
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston (Mass)*
Boys and Girls Club of The Berkshires (Mass)
Chabad of the Berkshires (Mass)
Community Food Cupboard, Inc. (Vt)
Elmcrest Children's Center (NY)
Festival Latino of the Berkshires (Mass)
Girls, Inc. of the Greater Capital Region (NY)*
Girls' LEAP (Mass)*
Jonnycake Center of Westerly (RI)
Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation (NY)
Nathan's Angels Memorial Foundation (RI)
Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation (RI)
Revitalize Community Development Corporation (Mass)
Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Inc. (Mass)
The Business Training Institute Inc. (NY)
The Latina Circle Inc. (Mass)*
The Leukemia & LymphoMass Society Upstate NY (NY)
The Minority Construction Council, Inc. (CT)
United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area (NY)
Union Capital Boston (Mass)
Veterans Inc. (Mass)
Veteran Entrepreneurship Training and Resource Network (NY)
Western Massss Women's Fund (Mass)*
Wonderfeet Kids' Museum (Vt)
Worcester Center for the Performing Arts (Mass)
YWCA Hartford Region (CT)*
Youth In Action, Inc. (RI)
 

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DA Shugrue: One Kilo of Heroin, Guns Removed from Pittsfield Streets

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Local law enforcement agencies seized almost a kilo of heroin, along with guns and other substances, during raids in October. 

On Thursday, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said this interrupted a "large-scale" drug trafficking operation. In total, about 542 grams of cocaine and 1,083 grams of heroin, firearms, and other paraphernalia were seized.

Nine people, including a juvenile, were charged with drug trafficking and/or illegal firearms.

"We're catching drugs and not a lot of cash, so it's not sold. That means that we're getting the drugs before it's sold. Here, almost a full kilo. That tells me it's not in the streets. I see a direct correlation with that. During those months, I'll see the overdose deaths go down, and that's significant to me," he said in a press conference at the Berkshire DA's office. 

"But we have to keep fighting it because we have to deal with the addiction issue as well, which we're dealing with in a different light, but we have to get rid of the supply that's coming in, and we see that supply go down. I know that you've got $250,000 worth of heroin that's not on the streets today, and I'm happy with that."

After a lengthy investigation, search warrants were executed on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. 

During the Oct. 15 operation, 542 grams of cocaine (with a street value of $54,000) and 83 grams of heroin (with a street value of $20,000) were seized. 

Police also confiscated three guns: a 9 mm handgun with nine rounds, a Glock 19, a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with six rounds, four loose rounds of ammunition, a 10-round feeding device, two boxes of 9mm ammunition, and a rifle scope. 

Seven individuals were arrested on charges of drug trafficking and possession of illegal firearms. 

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