Berkshire Bank Foundation awards $5,000 to Paramount Theatre

Berkshire Bank Foundation announced that the Paramount Theatre in Rutland Vermont was awarded a $5,000 grant to support their “Education is Paramount” educational enrichment series. Through these performances the Theatre introduces elementary and middle school students to live professional theater while also connecting classroom concepts to their productions.  

The Paramount Theatre, a historic performance theater located in Rutland, Vermont, opened in 1914. The successful restoration of the Paramount Theatre was completed in 2000 and the Theatre has since hosted many events and performances throughout the year. The Paramount Theatre plays a major role as an arts, cultural, and educational leader, and as a significant and valuable community resource. 

The “Education is Paramount” enrichment series offers seven theater performances throughout the academic school year. The performances tackle real life issues and promote important values such as consideration, manners, non-discrimination, fair play, and respect. The performances also often connect classroom learning and concepts to the theater the students watch. It’s a way to reinforce what teachers have taught in the classroom through the theatrical performances. The program runs from October 2012 through May 2013. 

Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation said “Berkshire Bank is pleased to make this grant to such an important cultural and community organization in Rutland Vermont. We are pleased to once again be a supporter of the theatre and their “Education is Paramount” enrichment series. We hope that many schools and students will take advantage of this year’s offerings.” 

In addition to financial support, the Foundation oversees the bank’s large Employee Volunteer Program that carries out group community service projects benefiting schools, non-profit organizations and communities within the bank’s service area.  In 2011, Berkshire Bank employees completed 67 volunteer projects in which over 50% of Berkshire’s employees participated donating over 26,000 hours of service through both company-sponsored and individual volunteer efforts to help their local communities. The American Bankers Association honored Berkshire Bank with National Recognition through their Community Bank Awards program in early 2012.

Background

Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc. and Berkshire Bank Foundation – Legacy Region the charitable arms of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting BankSM, are leaders in philanthropy and community involvement.  The foundations’ mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berkshire Bank’s footprint by providing priority funding to education and community/economic development projects.  They also fund programs dedicated to the arts, education, and human services. Each year the two foundations award nearly $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in their footprint.  For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com/foundation, “Like” them on www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank or call Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director at 413-447-1722.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting BankSM.  Including the acquired operations of CBT, Berkshire has $4.5 billion in assets and 68 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services.  Berkshire Bank provides 100% deposit insurance protection for all deposit accounts, regardless of amount, based on a combination of FDIC insurance and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF).  

PITTSFIELD, MASS, October 12, 2012 – Berkshire Bank Foundation