This year’s fundraising goal is $2.3M
PITTSFIELD – Berkshire United Way (BUW) officially launched its 2019 Workplace Campaign with a kick-off event Sept. 23, hosted by General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Berkshire United Way invited business leaders from the 143 companies that contribute to the workplace campaign to join them in celebrating a new campaign season and to thank them for their support.
BUW’s fundraising goal this year is $2.3M. BUW supports 42 programs in 28 agencies throughout Central and Southern Berkshire County. Last year, contributions to BUW helped change the lives of 16,914 residents in the Berkshires.
“Pledging to Berkshire United Way is one of the single most efficient and effective ways you can have the broadest philanthropic impact right here where you live,” said BUW President and CEO Candace Winkler. “We are data-driven, we have a pulse on the needs of the community, we are committed to results and we are committed to strengthening the families that live here.”
Carlo Zaffanella, vice president and general manager of Maritime & Strategic Systems at General Dynamics, said his company has set a goal to increase their contributions this year – and he challenged each workplace collectively to increase their giving by 5 percent to help BUW reach its goal.
“A lot of communities have needs. Berkshire United Way looks very analytically at where the needs are greatest and helps make your contributions and the contributions of your employees matter the most,” said Zaffanella.
Chris Montferret, director of Strategy and Business Development at General Dynamics and a BUW Board member, emphasized the meaning of BUW’s new slogan, #HereForGood: BUW is here to stay and is doing good in the community.
General Dynamics employee Michael Kusek shared his personal story about his son who benefited from programs funded by Berkshire United Way. He said he is proud to live in this community where there are programs in place to help his family and families that are similar.
To learn more about BUW’s Workplace Campaign, contact Winkler at 413-442-6948, ext. 19 or cwinkler@berkshireunitedway.org.
About Berkshire United Way
For more than 90 years, Berkshire United Way (BUW) has been building a stronger community right here in Berkshire County. BUW supports children and families wherever they are in their lives. BUW provides early education opportunities so children enter school ready to learn; give young people the tools they need to make healthy decisions; and help working families become financially stable. As part of a worldwide effort to create lasting change, BUW mobilizes individuals and organizations to develop long-term solutions to current and emerging needs throughout the county. BUW’s vision is for Berkshire County to become a dynamic, engaged community with opportunities for all. To learn more, visit berkshireunitedway.org