News

April 17, 2018

Berkshire Bank Awards $23,000 to Boston Cares

A Total of $50,000 Awarded to Non-Profits Through
Exciting Assists Grant Program During 2017-18 Hockey Season

Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®, announced it awarded a $23,000 grant to Boston Cares through the Berkshire Bank Exciting Assists Grant program in partnership with New England Sports Network (NESN) hockey coverage. In total this year’s Exciting Assists program raised a record $50,000; $14,000 to The Jimmy Fund and $13,000 to Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

“It’s the single largest grant ever given through the Existing Assists Grant program”, said Sara Hamilton, Director of Programs of Boston Cares.   The contribution was presented by Gary Levante, VP Corporate Social Responsibility for Berkshire Bank during NESN’s broadcast of the hockey game on April 8

To view this on air feature, please visit: https://youtu.be/neS4FhIEwzQ

The Exciting Assists Grant program ran through March 31, 2018 on NESN and raised funds to support three charitable causes. Berkshire Bank provided $100 per hockey play assist to the program. An assist was defined as a hockey player who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were “assisting” in the goal.

Boston Cares, the final non-profit organization who was a beneficiary of the Exciting Assists Grant program, is the largest volunteer agency in New England and a member of the national HandsOn Network. Boston Cares mobilizes and trains individual and corporate volunteers filling more than 20,000 volunteer spots annually in support of more than 165 Greater Boston schools and non-profit agencies.

In addition to Boston Cares, two other non-profit organizations received funding during the NESN hockey season including:

  • The Jimmy Fund – Founded in 1948, The Jimmy Fund’s sole purpose is to support Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. Promotion Period:  (October 15 – December 15) Grant Received: $14,000
  • Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Provides life-changing services for homeless and high-risk youth ages 14 to 24 because every kid deserves a chance for a healthy, productive, independent life.  Promotion Period: (December 16 – February 9) Grant received: $13,000