OXFORD, MASSACHUSETTS – bankHometown and its employees recently made donations totaling more than $22,000 to three United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts.

Employees pledged more than $19,000 of their own funds in support of the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s direct contribution, the campaign total of $22,485 will be divided among the United Way organizations of Central, North Central, and South Central Massachusetts as determined by the employees. The campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

As a long-time contributor to the United Way, the bank and its employees have donated nearly $150,000 to United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts through the workplace campaign and donations to other United Way-related campaigns, events, and initiatives.

The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life – education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.

“United Way provides much-needed support to our friends and neighbors throughout Central Massachusetts,” said bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton. “bankHometown and our employees are proud to support the organization in its mission to unlock the full potential of our communities.”

About bankHometown
Founded in 1889, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts and has $1.3 billion in assets and 16 branches located throughout Central Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2021, The Giving Tree donated nearly $288,000 and over the last decade has donated more than $2.3 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.

Pittsfield, MA –Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community-dedicated bank with financial center locations in New England and New York, announced more than $2.8 million in Foundation philanthropic investments during 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2022 (October 1- December 31), more than $764,000 was contributed to help the communities Berkshire Bank serves. The grants awarded cover a wide range of projects that help foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual and small business success, particularly for underrepresented populations. The investments also support the Company’s BEST Community Comeback which includes a planned $15 million in community contributions by the end of 2024.

In total, Berkshire’s Foundation assisted 155 nonprofit organizations during the fourth quarter of 2022 through grants supporting a wide range of critical projects like food insecurity, health, wellness, homelessness, educational advancement, arts, culture, diversity, and inclusion. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work toward providing equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. In addition, the Foundation supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth (CWWW) to provide opportunities for women to build a future enriched with financial stability, balance, and growth.

“We are so proud of the impact we have made collectively at Berkshire Bank through our financial support and volunteer service,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. During 2022, Berkshire Bank employees donated more than 23,000 volunteer hours to help our communities,” she added. Kiely continued, “We are pleased to continue to support non-profits doing great work to positively impact individuals, families, and small businesses within our Berkshire Bank footprint.”

The grant recipients listed below are just a sample of the projects Berkshire Bank has supported to strengthen organizations throughout MA, NY, CT, RI, and VT. They include:

• Berkshire Resources for the Integration of Diverse Groups and Education, Inc. (MA)
• Berkshire Black Economic Council, Inc. (MA)
• Bennington Museum, Inc. (VT)
• Columbia County Recovery Kitchen (NY)
• Catholic Charities Worcester County (MA)
• Cradles to Crayons (MA)
• Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (CT)
• Disability Policy Consortium (MA)
• Double H Ranch (NY)
• Fenway Community Development Corporation (MA)
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (MA)
• Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (CT)
• Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (NY)
• Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (NY)
• Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation, Inc. (MA)
• Peoples Equal Action And Community Effort (PEACE) Inc (NY)
• Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation (CT/RI)
• Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RI)
• Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RI)
• Rescue Mission of Syracuse (NY)
• Salve Regina University (CT/RI)
• Sculpture Now (MA)
• Springfield Museums (MA)
• Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (CT/RI)
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Inc. (MA)
• The Reading League, Inc. (NY)
• The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade (MA)
• The Vermont Food Bank (VT)
• UMass Memorial Health Care (MA)
• Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. (CT)
• YMCA of Greater Boston (MA)
• Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VT)
• Women’s Business Development Council (CT/RI)

Additional details on the Foundation’s grant programs and focus areas can be found at berkshirebank.com/foundation.

Rent a part of history in the restored Abijah Wyman House located in Ashby Center; 10 Common Road, Ashby, MA. In need of office space? Retail space? A place to meet with your clients? In the heart of beautiful downtown Ashby, a classic New England village. Second floor and mezzanine, 2,270 square feet. Great space with many possibilities for professional, showroom or retail use. Price per square foot negotiable. Gross rent plus utilities. Water and sewer included. Tenant responsible for electric and gas. Owner may consider subdividing or other lease arrangements. Elevator on site. Multiple tenant building including the Ashby Post Office. Building is meticulously maintained with ample parking on site. On street signage is available. High visibility in town and easily accessible. Just minutes away from the Fitchburg Commuter Rail and the New Hampshire border. To check out the space please reach out to  Michelle Haggstrom at 978-660-9912 or email mahaggstrom@gmail.com.

PreviousNext

Joshua Allen Design, a local interior design firm, is celebrating its 5th anniversary in business (officially on Aug 18, 2022) with some monumental changes; excited as they undergo a complete renovation of their showroom, a cutting-edge update to their online client experience, and a rollout of their brand new app.

Joshua Allen Design, a Sterling based interior design company, is undergoing big changes as part of an initiative to celebrate their 5th anniversary. They have been in business since August 18, 2017.

They recently moved to their current location on Clinton Rd and are happy to announce that they’re set to complete renovations on their brand new showroom this spring. Of course the showroom is open to the public, and they are thrilled to have the space to be able to bring the industry’s best materials, surfaces, finishes and fixtures to their projects and community here in north central Massachusetts.

Along with the physical upgrades come some digital ones. They have just released a big update to their client portal, making it easier than ever for clients to view their whole project, make selections, and order pieces from their design at their own pace. In addition they’re in the final stages of developing an app that will further streamline their design experience, for current clients and newcomers alike.Stay tuned for additional information on the app’s expected release date.

Visit www.joshuaallendesign.com to learn more.