Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Hammertown Barn Auction and Reception to Benefit Neighbor-to-Neighbor Programs

September 20, 2010

SHEFFIELD, MA—On Saturday, October 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Fund for Columbia County and Northeast Dutchess Fund will host the fifth annual party and auction at Hammertown Barn in Pine Plains, NY (3201 Route 199). Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor programs for Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties. Neighbor-to-Neighbor is an initiative of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation that provides emergency funds to families in acute financial need.

The Hammertown Barn event will feature a live and silent auction, with wine and food from local farms, merchants and restaurants. Auction items will include NYC’s Magnolia Bakery cupcake cooking lessons, four VIP tickets to The Daily Show, tickets to The Met with dinner at the Lotus Club, a private dinner for eight with Farmer’s Wife Chef Job Yacubian, a game dinner for eight by Michel Jean of The Stissing House and a six course dinner for eight at The Pines Inn.

“A wonderful feature of this event is the tasting tables from local purveyors and restaurants where our guests can come and graze so to speak.” said Joan Osofsky, owner of Hammertown Barn. “It’s a welcoming, fun party... no fancy clothes, no huge cover fee… just an opportunity to meet the people who work and volunteer for Berkshire Taconic, your neighbors, and the fabulous restaurants and purveyors in our area.”

Food and wine for the event is being donated by many local vendors, including Agriturismo, The Amazing Real Live Food Company, Stissing House, The Farmer’s Wife, The Green, Rosenthal Wine Merchants, No. 9 Restaurant, Magnolia Bakery, and The Pines Inn.

“This event is a perfect example of local businesses and individuals in our community coming together in the spirit of fun to do good and important work,” said Sally Berg, chair of the Fund for Columbia County. “Neighbor-to-Neighbor has had a tremendous impact in our region and we’re so proud to continue to support this essential program and have a great time doing it!”

Neighbor-to-Neighbor is a region-wide effort of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation that provides funds to individuals and families who are in great difficulty and need an emergency financial boost in a particular area of their lives to help stabilize their immediate situation. Neighbor-to-Neighbor makes small grants (generally $500) to help those with overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs, and transportation problems. Checks are written to the vendor (landlord, utility company, pharmacy or doctor) on behalf of the client in need. The funds are not intended for long-term or ongoing assistance, but for strategic intervention to help achieve a measure of stability and avert further crises. Referral from a social service agency is required for Neighbor-to-Neighbor assistance.

The 2010 Hammertown Auction Event is sponsored by Film 44-Peter Berg, Hammertown Barn, McLaughlin & Stern, LLP, Mill Hill Farm and Rosenthal Wine Merchants. For more information, visit online or call 413.229.0370.

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. Berkshire Taconic connects donors with causes they care about by administering and investing their charitable funds. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2009 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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