Berkshire United Way (BUW) kicked off its 100th fundraising campaign on Sept. 12 at the Country Club of Pittsfield, with 150 people in attendance.
BUW announced a fundraising goal of $2.3 million for the 2024-25 Campaign to support its updated strategic priorities – household stability, school and career readiness and mental health. The program also included Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier as guest speaker and recognized companies, organizations and individuals who supported last year’s campaign.
“We have the data to show that we’re making a difference and every data point tells a story. The dollars we invest and
the support we provide in our community helps make each story possible,” said Tom Bernard, BUW president and CEO.
“With these strategic priorities as a foundation, we’re inspired to help everyone in our community thrive.”
Krystle Blake, vice chair of the board, thanked the companies and organizations that went above and beyond during the 2023-24 campaign to earn them pinnacle status. She then presented the Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year Award to Susie Brown, senior vice president of administration at Lee Bank.
Brown has been co-chair of the bank’s employee giving campaign for more than 35 years. She has been instrumental in defining the culture at Lee Bank and with her enthusiasm, employee giving has been at or near 100 percent for many years.
In accepting the award, Brown expressed her love for BUW and offered advice to employee campaign coordinators: to better tell the story and encourage giving, get to know the organizations and programs BUW invests in.
Farley-Bouvier spoke passionately about early education and care and praised BUW for understanding the importance of a healthy early childhood system for the overall community. An investment in BUW, she said, “helps the organization fund the highest quality learning environments; convene educators and directors to share best practices, collectively address barriers, and strengthen professional networks; and lift up the provider voice at the state level through its advocacy work.”
BUW Board Chair Laurie Gallagher reflected on BUW’s unprecedented fundraising success over the past century – investing more than $200 million back into Berkshire County. “We are ready to build on our achievements and to tackle new challenges with innovative approaches,” she said.
Read more from iBerkshires: Berkshire United Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign, Honors Fundraising Coordinator
Thank you to sponsors: Berkshire Health Systems, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Sourcepass, Adams Community Bank, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Lee Bank, Hillcrest Educational Centers, Main Street Hospitality, 1Berkshire, Berkshire Bank, Guardian Life, and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
Click image to view our 100th Campaign Kickoff Celebration gallery | 📸 Tucker Bair Photography
