Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Simple Gifts Fund Awards Summer Enrichment Grants

June 1, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—The Simple Gifts Fund has awarded $6,375 in grants to 19 young people in the Berkshire Taconic area. The Simple Gifts Fund, an endowment of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, was established in 1998 by Bill Crofut and his family, and gives annual grants to children ages 7-21 for cultural and creative summer programs. Bill was a beloved folk singer and active community member who passed away in 1999. The Simple Gifts Fund Committee includes Erica and Susie Crofut, his wife and daughter, who are both active artists in the Berkshire Taconic community.

Mother of three, Meredith Babcock said “I wish I could send a picture of my daughters face when I informed her that she and her brothers were going to the wonderful Gymnastics Unlimited camp this summer. There is nothing simple about the joy this has brought to my family. These grants help local children take advantage of the truly extraordinary offerings in their own Berkshire back yards.”

Grants were awarded to:

The Babcock Family, Becket, MA: to participate in a two week, half day program at Gymnastics Unlimited developing acrobatic skills to use on tour with their family company.

Annalena Barrett, 16, Housatonic, MA: to volunteer abroad at Enkosini Eco Experience leading wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and research programs in South Africa and Namibia.

Edward Bertoldi, 17, Pittsfield, MA: to travel on a 23-day summer European tour with the Sound of America Honor Chorus while gaining exposure to different music from around the world.

Jacob Bronstein, 17, Great Barrington, MA: to attend a four week art intensive program, focusing on graphic design, at Massachusetts College of Art and Design where students live on campus to have an experience similar to a normal college student. This program will give Jacob the opportunity to build his portfolio for college.

Jessie Capellaro, 16, Millerton, NY: to attend a five day session at the Litchfield Jazz Camp, one private lesson, and a pass for the two day Jazz festival weekend.

Sarah Cicchetti, 14, Pittsfield, MA: to attend a theater program for children ages 8-14 at KIDSACT! where Sarah will learn the skills necessary to be in a professional theatre production, such as acting, voice, singing, movement, dance, and stage combat. Students create a script for a play using appropriate dialogue and musical theatre songs, then rehearse and perform the production to the public.

Hannah Cohen, 14, Lee, MA: to attend a five week program for talented music students ages 13-18 at Greenwood Music Camp focusing on chamber music and orchestral music.

Alex Ortiz, 8, Lee, MA: to attend The Berkshire South Language Immersion Day Camp.

Mallory Northrup, 11, Pittsfield, MA: to attend a week look immersion program for 5th, 6th and 7th grade students at Days in the Arts (DARTS). The students may spend the afternoon at Jacob’s Pillow, interacting with the dancers; they may find themselves backstage at the Berkshire Theatre Festival or at Shakespeare & Co.; they may experience a master class with the young musicians of the Tanglewood Music Center or the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Each child has the opportunity to choose a particular project to complete during the week, with the guidance of a professional arts instructor ending with a presentation.

John Payne, 13, Sheffield, MA: to participate in the Chinese Language Program at Middlebury Monterey Language Academy at Pomona College in Los Angeles, CA learning the Chinese languare as well as being acquainted with its cultural heritage.

Taylor Slonaker, 9, Canaan, CT: to participate in Seussical, Jr., a three week theatre performance workshop at Tri Arts Summer Program where children will develop acting, singing, and dancing skills while rehearsing Seussical Jr.

Samantha Swartz, 16, Sandisfield, MA: to attend a summer Chemistry Program at Northwestern Connecticut Community College.

Noelle Walser, 17, Pittsfield, MA: to travel on a summer European tour with the Sound of America Honor Chorus while helping to improve vocal technique and experience different cultures of Europe.

A committee of local residents reviews application and awards grants based on the quality of the program, its potential impact on the applicant’s life, studies and work, and the evidence of the student’s ambition to pursue studies or work through engagement in the proposed program.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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