Berkshire United Way announced plans for the 2017 Day of Caring, a countywide initiative that demonstrates how people who come together to achieve a common goal can accomplish great things in their community.
At a press conference held at the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, Berkshire United Way President and CEO Kristine Hazzard announced the organization’s commitment to distribute nearly 1,200 Literacy Backpack Kits to incoming kindergartners throughout the county. Generously funded in part by Berkshire Bank and assembled by Berkshire Bank employees as part of their annual Xtraordinary Day of Service on June 7, the literacy kits will be distributed at several literacy parties throughout the county on June 21 from 4 – 7 p.m.
Learning to read by the end of third grade is the most important predictor of a child’s future success. Yet, many kids in our community miss this important milestone. Only 51% of our Berkshire County children are reading proficiently by 3rd Grade. Literacy development begins as early as birth, with parents and caregivers playing a crucial role in building literacy skills. The Literacy kits will provide parents with the tools needed to help build these skills and start their children on the path to school success.
“Our Day of Caring is an exciting opportunity to bring the county together, all of us working to make sure our children are on a path to school success. Starting in February, we connected with every school district to distribute a ‘Passport to Kindergarten’. The passport provides a countdown of activities to assist families of incoming Kindergartners on this important transition into school life. We want our families to know the community is here to support them, and we care about the future of our children,” says Karen Vogel, director of community impact with Berkshire United Way.
Lori Gazzillo, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation echoed the sentiment saying, “Education, and specifically reading proficiency is a top priority of our philanthropic efforts. We are so pleased to partner with the Berkshire United Way in providing these valuable tools and resources to all parents of incoming kindergarten students throughout Berkshire County.”
In speaking of Berkshire Bank’s volunteer involvement in the initiative Gary Levante, assistant vice president of community engagement said “Assembling the backpack kits at sites across the county on our Xtraordinary Day is an opportunity for us to put our most powerful asset, our people, to work ensuring all incoming kindergarten students arrive at school equipped and ready to learn. Volunteer service is at the core of our culture and Xtraordinary Day epitomizes that commitment by closing offices at noon so employees can take part in similar service projects across the country.”
In addition to the assembly and distribution of literacy kit backpacks, thus far 16 businesses are also participating in the Day of Caring by giving a generous one-time gift to Berkshire United Way. Monies raised through the Day of Caring will be used to support the organization’s early literacy initiatives. Community members are encouraged to support these businesses, which will feature a “We Care” Day of Caring 2017 decal on site. The Day of Caring is being co-chaired by Gazzillo and Levante of Berkshire Bank.
To celebrate the hard work of this initiative and the hundreds of volunteers involved, Berkshire United Way is hosting the Movers + Shakers celebration at Hancock Shaker Village the evening of June 23 from 7 – 11 p.m., featuring a dance party led by DJ BFG, light hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar. Surprise performances relating to the spoken word will pop-up all night. Tickets are available for $50/person and all proceeds benefit Berkshire United Way’s early literacy efforts across the county. Berkshire Bank, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lyon Aviation, Health New England and Interprint have signed on as sponsors of Movers + Shakers, with more opportunities available.
Press conference speakers from throughout the county included Chris Jacoby, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, volunteer project co-chairs, Gary Levante and Lori Gazzillo of Berkshire Bank, Christa Collier, executive director of Northern Berkshire United Way, and Reverend Sam Smith, member of Berkshire United Way’s Chapter One coalition.
For more information on Berkshire United Way’s Day of Caring and the Movers + Shakers after party, please visit berkshireunitedway.org or contact Jennifer Kerwood at 413-442-6948.