MountainOne Donates $10K to Berkshire Community Action Council

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne announced that it has donated $10,000 to the Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) as part of its 2024 Community Dividend Program.

The BCAC is a non-profit human service organization that assists low-income residents of Berkshire County towards achieving sustainability and self-sufficiency. Working with the community to find solutions that promote economic stability and alleviate the destabilizing effects of poverty for those in Berkshire County, the BCAC has had "self-sufficiency and dignity for all" as its vision since incorporating in 1966.

MountainOne's donation is earmarked specifically for the BCAC's Warm Winter Clothing Program which provides children aged 12 and under with new coats, boots, hats, mittens, and gloves.  Families are provided with the opportunity to shop for items at "The Children's Winter Boutique at BCAC," allowing them the opportunity to chose items that best suit their children's taste, style, and comfort.

The Community Dividend Program at MountainOne supports non-profits throughout the Berkshires and South Shore, particularly organizations that positively impact those most-in-need community members.

"It is our privilege to fund this critical program that supports children and their families during some of the most challenging months of the year. MountainOne places the safety and well-being of children as a top priority of our Community Dividend Program," said Robert Fraser, president and chief executive officer of MountainOne.

In addition to corporate sponsorship, BCAC offers the ability to for community members and groups to sponsor a child during the winter.  For further details on The Warm Winter Clothing Program, visit bcacinc.org/winter-clothing-program.

 


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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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