PITTSFIELD, MA January 26, 2016 – Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®, and NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, have announced that Berkshire Bank Foundation will again donate to selected New England Habitat for Humanity affiliates through its Hockey 4 Housing initiative during NESN’s coverage of the Boston Bruins 2015-16 season.
Berkshire Bank Foundation will donate $200 for each successful Boston Bruins penalty kill during games between November 1 and April 1. A penalty kill is the moment during a hockey game when one team, with fewer players on the ice due to a penalty, prevents the opposing team from scoring.
At the conclusion of the season, the total funds collected by April 1, 2016 through the Hockey4Housing initiative will be distributed evenly among 12 New England Habitat for Humanity chapters located throughout the Berkshire Bank footprint. Berkshire Bank Foundation and NESN have set a goal of raising $50,000 for the season and the running tally can be followed on nesn.com/BerkshireBank.
In addition to the financial support, Bank employees will help build Habitat for Humanity homes in communities across New England where Berkshire has an office. Employees will have the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat through the company’s X-TEAM, Berkshire Bank’s award winning employee volunteer program. Hockey 4 Housing highlights the bank’s support for housing initiatives and its dedication to giving back to the community in order for individuals to make the most of life’s exciting moments.
“We are so pleased to once again partner with NESN and Habitat on this exciting program, which helps many achieve the dream of homeownership,” said Lori Gazzillo, Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. “Habitat for Humanity empowers people to become homeowners and then works closely with them to ensure they are successful. We applaud their efforts and are proud to support them in this fun way for the third year.”
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundation donates nearly $1.8 million to non-profits in the bank’s footprint and employees provide over 40,000 hours of service. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community.
About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $7.8 billion in assets and 93 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601. Berkshire Bank, is the official bank of NESN’s Boston Bruins coverage.
Media Contact:
Heidi Higgins
AVP Marketing
hhiggins@berkshirebank.com
(413) 236-3756