Annual Campaign Launched!
By · CommentsThe Williamstown Community Chest has launched its Annual Fundraising Campaign for 2011-2012. Supporting local agencies in Northern Berkshires for generations, they once again are seeking the generous support of its local neighbors and business partners to help reach another successful campaign goal.
The Williamstown Community Chest theme of “Creating Community” has been an important driving factor during its 85 year existence. Never has this been more apparent than its support of The Spruces Park this fall. After the disastrous effects of tropical storm Irene, the Community Chest made a contribution of $10,000 to help establish “The Community Fund for The Spruces”, along with local churches, banks, and businesses. Over $85,000 in small grants were made available to assist displaced residents with the necessities and funds to move forward.
According to Linda Conway, president of the board, “The Community Chest is blessed to have an emergency fund that can be called on at times of crisis in the community. We were happy to be part of the launching of the Community Fund for the Spruces and to serve on the Coordinating Committee for disbursement of Fund grants.”
Along with its annual Community “Fun Run” and the “Penny Social”, a cornerstone of Williamstown’s festive Holiday Walk, the Williamstown Community Chest is an active volunteer driven effort. One of only a few such remaining organizations in the country, they believe in the importance of supporting the important work of the many non-profit agencies that serve our community.
This year’s fundraising goal is $250,000, with one hundred percent of funds raised directly serving all of their 15 member agencies. Agencies the Community Chest benefits are: The Berkshire County American Red Cross, Berkshire Children and Families, Brien Center for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Child Care of the Berkshires, Ecu-Health Care, Elder Services of Berkshire County, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Equus Therapeutic, Inc., Family Life Support Center, Little Red Schoolhouse, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Northern Berkshire YMCA, United Cerebral Palsy, Williamstown Community Preschool, and the Williamstown Youth Center.
As in years past, any first time donor’s support will be matched through a special gift. The co-chairs for this year’s campaign are Laurie Marrs and Rich Alley.
To learn more about how the Williamstown Community Chest, its agencies, and how you can support the campaign, contact the Community Chest at 413.458.2443 or visit their newly designed website at www.williamstowncommunitychest.org.
2011 Volunteer of the Year
By · CommentsThe Williamstown Community Chest honored Paula Consolini as the Volunteer of the Year at its 84th Annual Meeting on May 19th at the Williams Inn. Her volunteer service includes work for the town, local schools, nonprofit organizations and her church. The full text of her citation follows:
Paula Consolini knows her place in the world: to make the world a better place. A Williamstown resident for twenty-one years, Paula is employed at Williams College as the Coordinator of Experiential Education, a role that encourages students to “learn by doing” outside the classroom. Courses with an experiential learning component provide students with guided opportunities to encounter first-hand the issues they read and study about, requiring them to apply academic learning to non-academic settings and to integrate those challenges and opportunities in unique and holistic ways, creating volunteers and citizens that will create the leaders of tomorrow.
In her private life, Paula is committed to those same ideals and leads by example. In her twenty-one years in Williamstown, she has served on the Board of the Berkshire Food Project, was Chair of the Williamstown School Committee, served on the Building Committee for the Williamstown Elementary School, and is one of the founders and organizers of “Sundays at Six.” She serves on the Building Committee at Mount Greylock Regional High School and on the Williamstown Finance Committee. She also is an active parishioner at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown, serving on various committees, teaching Sunday School, and helping with the parish’s Youth Ministry activities.
Paula will jump in wherever she is needed and infuses whatever she does with a smile and a positive, can-do attitude that energizes the people around her. She is reliable, intelligent, creative, fearless, and has a knack for bringing people together by recognizing their gifts and appreciating their contributions.
The Williamstown Community Chest is proud to name Paula Consolini the 2011 Volunteer of the Year.
Community Fund for The Spruces
By · CommentsThe Williamstown Community Chest, in partnership with the Fund for Williamstown, the Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Clergy, has announced the creation of the Community Fund for the Spruces at Williamstown Savings Bank. Read More→