Needham, MA - April 10, 2018 - The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is pleased to announce that Berkshire Bank, recognized for its relationship customer experience and distinctive culture, has signed on to be the official bank of this year's PMC ride. Berkshire Bank has made a commitment supporting the PMC's riders, volunteers and donors in their efforts to support cancer research and treatment. As part of Berkshire's sponsorship, an employee team will participate in the weekend charity ride and they will send its XTEAM®, the nationally acclaimed corporate employee volunteer program, to assist with various roles and responsibilities along the routes of the course.
"We are honored to partner with the Pan-Mass Challenge to help raise more money for cancer research each year," stated David Cohen, President & CEO – Firestone Financial, a Berkshire Bank Company. "Berkshire Bank has an expanding presence in eastern Massachusetts; this sponsorship provides us with a significant opportunity to support the communities that we serve as well as partner with an organization and a cause that many of our employees are passionate about," he added.
"We're excited to welcome Berkshire into the PMC family not only as our official bank, but as riders and volunteers as well," said Billy Starr, Pan-Mass Challenge founder and executive director. "With shared local roots and a passion for supporting the community, it makes sense for us to align ourselves with businesses like this that both understand and enhance our commitment to the fight against cancer. Berkshire has proven they do just that by not only becoming a resource for our riders, volunteers and donors, but also encouraging their employees to participate as riders this August."
The PMC is the nation's most successful athletic fundraising event, raising and contributing more money to charity than any other. On August 4 and 5, 2018, more than 6,200 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers will participate in the two-day bike-a-thon with the goal of raising $52 million to support patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber. One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the cause. If accomplished, this fundraising goal will bring the organization's 39-year contribution to more than $650 million. The PMC is Dana-Farber's largest single contributor, raising more than 55 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. To learn more about the PMC or to make a financial contribution, visit https://clicktime.cloud.postoffice.net/clicktime.php?U=www.pmc.org&E=bmccauley%40berkshirebank.com&X=XID915wDJTAF0411Xd3&T=
BERK&HV=U,E,X,T&H=9eec73dbf42536965ccab669ac47a53defbafd05, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2018 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
About The Pan-Mass Challenge
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that has raised more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the world. The PMC was founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, who remains the event's executive director, an annual cyclist, and a fundraiser. The PMC has since raised $598 million for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The event donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. The PMC generates more than 53 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and is Dana-Farber's single largest contributor. The PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC's goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift. The PMC's hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers. For more information on the Pan-Mass Challenge, log onto https://clicktime.cloud.postoffice.net/clicktime.php?U=www.pmc.org&E=bmccauley%40berkshirebank.com&X=XID915wDJTAF0411Xd3&T=
BERK&HV=U,E,X,T&H=9eec73dbf42536965ccab669ac47a53defbafd05.
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 $11.6 billion in assets and 114 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies in 2017 by the Boston Business Journal. 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.
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