PITTSFIELD, MASS., March 25, 2015 – Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®, is seeking volunteer opportunities for their upcoming Company-Wide Week of Service June 8 – 12. During the week, more than 300 bank employees are expected to participate in a series of service projects to help the communities in which the bank operates.
Berkshire Bank is seeking service projects of all sizes, but generally should engage between 5 to 50 employees using a mix of skilled and non-skilled labor. Projects should be able to be completed in one day using largely bank volunteers, and have a tangible impact on both the organization and the individuals served by the organization. Limited financial support for selected projects may be available from Berkshire Bank Foundation; however organizations should also be involved financially and with project planning. Only non-profit and government entities, including cities/towns and schools, located in a community with a Berkshire Bank office are eligible for consideration. Examples of past service projects have included painting days, building outdoor classrooms, landscaping improvements, playground improvements, mentoring efforts as well as dozens of others.
Volunteer project proposals should be concise and include a brief description of the organization, the proposed project, the need/impact the project will have, maintenance/upkeep plan (if applicable) and documentation of any financial resources required. The bank also recommends when possible to include photos of the proposed project site and any plans or designs an organization may already have. All requests should be emailed to [email protected] for consideration.
Submitted proposals will be reviewed by Regional Volunteer Committees comprised of local bank employees in each one of the bank’s geographic markets. The committees will ultimately select the projects the bank undertakes to ensure the activities have an impact on the local community and interest of bank staff. Projects not selected for the week of service will be kept on file for future consideration. Applicants should not expect to receive a response to their proposal unless its ultimately selected or additional information is required.
Berkshire Bank’s Company-Wide Week of Service is part of the X-TEAM, the bank’s nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program. Every Berkshire Bank employee receives paid time off to participate in company-supported projects that usually occur during regular business hours as part of the program. In 2014, employees completed 223 company-supported volunteer projects in which over 70% of Berkshire’s 1,100 employees participated, contributing more than 40,000 hours of service. In recognition of their work in the community, Berkshire Bank was honored with the Capital Region Community Impact Award, the United Way Agar Volunteerism Award, and two New England Financial Marketing Awards for their overall philanthropic work and civic responsibility efforts. Additionally, the Boston Business Journal named Berkshire one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies for the second consecutive year in 2014.
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About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting BankÒ. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $6.5 billion in assets and 91 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of the Boston Bruins coverage on NESN. Berkshire has a pending agreement to acquire Hampden Bancorp, the parent of Hampden Bank, which has $706 million in assets and operates ten offices in the Springfield, Massachusetts area.
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to non-profits, scholarships to students, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundation donates nearly $1.6 million to non-profits in the bank’s footprint and employees provide over 40,000 hours of service—all on the company dime. In 2013 and 2014, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. This year, Berkshire Bank and NESN are teaming up to raise $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity by donating funds to the Hockey 4 Housing campaign each time the Boston Bruins achieved a penalty kill. To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community.