Berkshire Bank Honors Employees for Volunteerism

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has recognized 27 employees for their volunteerism in the community, and has named three “top volunteers” through its Volunteer Service X-ellence Awards Program. These annual awards celebrate bank employees who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

The three award recipients were selected based on their strong record of volunteerism to nonprofit organizations through both company-supported activities and in individual service to the broader community. An awards luncheon was held in Pittsfield at the bank’s headquarters, where the recipients received their awards from company leadership. Each of the award winners also received a $1,000 donation that will be made to the nonprofit organization of their choice. This year’s Volunteer X-ellence Award winners include:

• Sue Gagne, branch officer in East Longmeadow. She received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for her leadership and participation in the bank’s corporate volunteer program. Her donation was made to Wolf Swamp Road School in East Longmeadow and Washington Elementary School in Springfield.

• Monica Schlaepfer, financial services representative in West Winfield, N.Y. She received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for her leadership and service in both company-supported and individual volunteer activities. Her donation was made to Mount Markham Central School District Foundation.

• Michael Provencher, teller in Ludlow, Vt. He received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for his individual volunteer service outside the bank’s corporate program. His donation was made to Knight-Allen Hose Co.

In addition to the three Volunteer Service X-ellence Award recipients, Berkshire Bank named 27 employees to its Community Service Honor Roll. Employees eligible for the Honor Roll completed a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer service in the last calendar year. Honorees included Dawn Adams-Rea, Theresa Andersen, Barbara Cooney, Joshua Cutler, Jody DeMarco, Marc Dickie, Leigha Durfee, Susan Gagne, David Gonci, Heidi Higgins, James Kochakian, Gary Levante, Elizabeth Mach, Ceroi Mello, Thomas Miller, Beth Molinero, LeeAnn Morrone, Sandra O’Neil, Elizabeth Phillips, Ann Ciepiela, John Prividera, Michael Provencher, Monica Schlaepfer, Ray Smith, Michael Smith, Deborah Stephenson, and Karen Worcester.

“These award winners went above and beyond by donating their time, talent, and skills to help dozens of nonprofit organizations,” said Linda Johnson, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer at Berkshire Bank. “The employees selected for this year’s Honor Roll embody our values as a company and share in our commitment to making a difference in our community. We applaud them for their continued commitment to our communities.”