Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Barrett Fund Awards $121,750 in Grants in Adams, Cheshire and Savoy

February 17, 2009

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA – The William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy, a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, recently awarded grants totaling $121,750 to 15 nonprofit organizations in the three towns.

“The impact of Margery Barrett’s legacy over the years has been extraordinary,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “Margery Barrett loved her community and the fund she created has provided support for hundreds of families –what a difference she’s made!”

The following nonprofit groups received grants in 2008: Youth Center, Inc.: $19,850 for programming for youth, including outreach, a drop-in center, classes and special events.
Childcare of the Berkshires: $4,500 for Healthy Families, a program that provides support and parenting education for young mothers in the Adams community.
Berkshire Nursing Families: $10,000 to support prenatal breastfeeding classes, in-hospital consultations and an outpatient lactation clinic for residents of Adams Cheshire and Savoy.
Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School: $2,625 for Helping Adolescents Find Success, a public education initiative consisting of five public lectures and discussions that will address issues critical to helping adolescents find success in school and in the community.
Community Access to the Arts: $10,000 for a week-long digital photography residency program that will introduce participants to digital photography, composition, editing, critiquing, printing and exhibiting.
Elder Services of Berkshire County: $6,000 for Meals on Wheels, which provides hot home-delivered meals for seniors.
Family Life Support Center: $15,000 to support rehabilitation of the organization’s former office into an emergency assistance shelter space for families referred through the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Emergency Relief Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation: $3,400 for one-time emergency assistance to individuals as recommended by social service agencies.
Hoosac Valley High School: $800 to take its tenth grade students to Barrington Stage Company’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird.
C.T. Plunkett School: $6,250 for Transition to K, a program for families of young children that will provide them with activities and opportunities to make the transition into kindergarten as smooth as possible.
Hoosic River Watershed: $1,408 for The Stream Team program, which works to improve water quality along the Hoosic River.
Adams Fire Department: $3,290 for an air rescue bag system to assist extrication from car accidents, rollovers, industrial accidents and collapses.
Berkshire Museum: $9,600 for Teaching In Nature, a program which offers exciting outdoor hands-on experiences for students in grades K-5 in the Adams-Cheshire schools.
Berkshire Dance Theatre: $3,221 for capital improvements including ballet barres, fans and tumbling mats.
Topia Arts Center: $25,800 to hire a professional fundraiser and grant-writer and for children’s programs.

The William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams Cheshire and Savoy was established in 1995 by Margery Barrett with stock that she inherited from Speciality Minerals. The Fund is overseen by a committee of local residents who review applications and award grants. The Barrett Fund has distributed almost $2 million over the last 13 years for projects in the Adams, Cheshire and Savoy area and is administered by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The next deadline for grant applications is October 1, 2009. Applications are available online at www.berkshiretaconic.org/grantseekers or by calling 413.528.8039.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2008 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $9 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection throughout the region. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

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