MountainOne Wins Award for Storybook Program

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MountainOne is the recipient of a Silver Bell Ringer Award, announced during the 57th Annual PR Club Bell Ringer Awards ceremony, held June 3 at the Museum of Science in Boston. 
 
The Bell Ringer Awards recognize public relations and communications work that demonstrates excellence in creative planning and superior execution, stated a press release.
 
MountainOne earned Silver in the Communications Campaigns – Content Marketing category for its Mo's Storybook Program, a multi-faceted initiative promoting financial literacy and personal growth among children. Central to the program is the original 24-page illustrated book, "How to Climb a Mountain," featuring Mo the MountainOne Spokesgoat. The campaign also included strategic marketing, public relations, and community outreach efforts designed to bring Mo's message to life.
 
Over the past year, there have been more than 20 live readings across the Berkshires and South Shore, at schools, libraries, and community centers. To date, more than 2,000 copies of "How to Climb a Mountain" have been distributed, earning praise from educators, parents, and young readers alike.
 
Following the program's initial success, MountainOne recently launched "Something to Save," the second book in the series, continuing its mission to empower kids through storytelling and smart financial habits.
 
"We're incredibly proud to see Mo's Storybook Program recognized with this Silver Bell Award," said Jill Amato, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Banking at MountainOne. "What began as a creative way to promote reading and financial literacy has truly grown into something special. These books help spark meaningful conversations with kids about confidence, goal-setting, and smart saving habits."
 
MountainOne extended its gratitude to HATCH The Agency, storybook author Doug Murphy, illustrator Laura Salafia, and PRfirst for their integral roles in bringing Mo's storybook to life.
 
The Bell Ringer Awards ceremony brought together leading PR and marketing professionals from across the region. Founded in 1948, PR Club is one of the nation's oldest nonprofit public relations organizations, committed to advancing excellence in the communications industry.

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North Adams Updated on Schools, Council President Honored With 'Distinction'

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff

Superintendent Timothy Callahan gives a presentation on the school system at Tuesday's City Council meeting. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council got an update on what's up in the school system and its president was inducted into the mayor's Women's Leadership Hall of Fame.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, as the city's first woman mayor, established the Hall of Fame in 2022, during March, Women's History Month, to recognize local women who have had a positive impact on the city. Past inductees have included the council's first woman president Fran Buckley, Gov. Jane Swift and boxing pioneer Gail Grandchamp. 
 
She described President Ashley Shade as a colleague and a friend and a former student. 
 
"Ashley is known not just for her leadership, but for her compassion, her ability to listen, to understand and to stand up for those whose voices are often gone unheard," the mayor said. "She has been a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ plus community and marginalized communities at both the local and national level here in North Adams."
 
Elected in 2021, Shade is the first openly transgender person to hold the role of council president in Massachusetts. She also leads the first-ever woman majority council in the city's history. 
 
The McCann Technical School graduate also has served on boards and commissions, "always working to make our city more inclusive, equitable and welcoming," said the mayor. "Ashley not leads not only with strength, but with a heart, and our community is a much stronger place because of it."
 
Shade, wearing her signature pink suit, was presented with a plaque from the mayor designating her a "woman of distinction."
 
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