2011-2012 Annual Campaign Update

The Williamstown Community Chest is embarking on its 85th annual fund drive, proceeds from which benefit 15 service agencies in Northern Berkshire. These agencies serve a wide variety of needs within the Williamstown community and the region.

The efforts of these member agencies can be seen all around us: activities and day care for children; help with independent living and nutritional and transportation needs for seniors; medical assistance for those with little or no insurance. Taken individually or as a whole, providing these services makes us the nurturing, caring, and compassionate community we aim to be.

Regrettably, the current economic situation may take significantly more time to recover. Many family incomes have been reduced and governmental support for some agencies has been dramatically.  At the same time, the numbers of local citizens who depend on these agencies has increased.

We ask that you help the providers by pledging and contributing as much as you can to the Williamstown Community Chest, for the sole benefit of our member agencies. Fortunately, the administrative costs of the Community Chest are covered 100% through the generosity of benefactors from years past. This generosity also allows us to maintain a small Emergency Fund, which has been used in recent weeks to allocate $10,000 to the Community Fund for The Spruces, designed to provide short-term assistance to those who were displaced by the hurricane flooding.

Please take a moment to reflect on the needs of others and then lend your support to the $250,000 Community Chest goal for 2011-12. Contributions may be made online. We will see that your investment in our community reaches those who need it most.

Sincerely,

Laurie Marrs and Rich Alley, Campaign Co-Chairs