BeFirst Day

A Company Wide Celebration of our BeFirst Morals & Values

Today the Berkshire Bank family will be engaging in micro-volunteer service projects that allow employees the opportunity to do good in our communities with just a few minutes of their day and a special Coffee Talk featuring our CEO and EVP, Chief Experience & Culture Officer.

We’re excited to announce that for each employee that participates in a project, Berkshire Bank will make a special donation to National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance by providing education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all.

This year we are partnering with the following 3 organizations for our day of celebration.

1. Together We Rise

TWR works with thousands of volunteers, social workers, CASA advocates, and other partners to transform the way kids experience foster care. Their programs are created to provide a way for people who cannot become foster parents to still have a meaningful and effective way to help children in foster care throughout the nation.

As part of Be FIRST Day, Berkshire Bank volunteers are creating nearly 500 Superhero kits to make children feel S.U.P.E.R (Self-assured, Uplifted, Proud, Empowered and Resilient) — just like the heroes they are!

Find our More About Together We Rise on: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

2. CareerVillage

We have partnered with CareerVillage.org to assist with their mission to democratize access to career information and advice for underrepresented individuals. Preparing for a career is exceptionally hard.

On Be FIRST Day and as part of our ongoing virtual skills-based volunteering efforts, employees can log on at any time to help answer questions from any students about any career and job advice — helping them feel less alone in their search.

Find our more about Career Village on: Facebook| Twitter| LinkedIn| Instagram

3. Happy Hope Factory

The Happy Hope Factory, a 501c3 charity is dedicated to the mission of delivering a boost of hope to hospitalized children nationwide. We have created an impactful experience guaranteed to inspire your team while serving a critical need throughout our hospital network. Reading submissions welcome in all languages.

MHF was born out of a desire to bring hope and happiness to hospitalized children with special needs or chronic and life-threatening illnesses. So many young hospitalized children undergoing treatment with nothing to engage them or distract from long hospital stays. A physician described the extent to which families invest their resources in expensive treatments as they strive to save the lives of their children, leaving little for small luxuries such as coloring books, crayons or other engaging and uplifting activities. In response to COVID-19 and the restrictions around hospital visitations, the organization launched “Hope Reads”, a virtual library that helps bring the joy of reading to children in hospitals across the country.

Hope Reads delivers a virtual volunteering opportunity for your team to do good, give back and share hope!

Find out more about Happy Hope Factory : Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

As our community, we want to thank all of you for being a part of the greater good in continuing to pay it forward.

We encourage all of you to check out these organizations : give your time and donations to so they may continue to provide hope and service in our communities.

#BeFirst #Diversity #Inclusion #Belonging #Respect #Service #Teamwork