Over $50,000 to be Awarded in Scholarships For Students with Record of Volunteerism
Pittsfield, MA – PITTSFIELD, MA, January 5, 2017 – Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank® is excited to announce that it will honor a record thirty five high school seniors across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for their volunteer service through the Berkshire Bank Foundation's annual Scholarship Awards Program. The program will award $52,500 in total scholarship dollars to students who have exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts, have been successful academically and have a financial need. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a county with a Berkshire Bank office.
Through the program, thirty five $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who will be attending a two-year or four-year college in the fall. Applications are evaluated based on the student's record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing and financial need. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and a family household income under $75,000 to be eligible to apply. A team of more than 200 Bank employee volunteers will review the applications and select this year's recipients.
Scholarships will be awarded in the geographic regions where Berkshire Bank offices or its subsidiaries are located, with fourteen (14) available in Massachusetts, ten (10) in New York, three (3) in Connecticut, (3) in Vermont, three (3) in New Jersey and two (2) in Pennsylvania. Students can apply online though the Bank's website at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships. To be considered, all applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, March 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Additional information about this year's program can be obtained through the Bank's website or by contacting Berkshire Bank Foundation at scholarshipinfo@berkshirebank.com.
The scholarship awards program is an extension of the Bank's corporate values and belief that promoting volunteerism at a young age will lead to ongoing community involvement. In addition to the scholarship awards, Berkshire provides over $2 million dollars in financial support annually through their charitable foundation and corporate support. Berkshire also drives the XTEAM®, its nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program, which boasts a 100% participation rate amongst employees. Berkshire Bank has received numerous accolades for their overall philanthropic work and civic responsibility efforts during the past year including being named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business journal for the fourth consecutive year.
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, environmental programs, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundation donates $2 million to nonprofits throughout the Bank's footprint and 100% of Bank employees provide over 40,000 hours of service through their XTEAM® corporate volunteer program, one of the highest participation rates of any company in the U.S. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts' Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal in 2016. 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 $9 billion in assets and 99 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of NESN's Boston Bruins coverage and the community partner of Boston Seasons at City Hall Plaza.
Contact: Heidi Higgins
Berkshire Bank
Phone: (413) 236-3756
E-Mail: hhiggins@berkshirebank.com
Vanessa Pesa
Berkshire Bank
Phone: 413-447-1851
E-Mail: vpesa@berkshirebank.com