ADAMS -- Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has announced that the William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy recently awarded grants totaling $74,763 to eight nonprofit organizations in those three towns.
"Berkshire Taconic is proud to be the steward of Margery Barrett’s legacy," Jennifer Dowley, president of the foundation, said in the news release announcing the grants. "Margery was born in North Adams and spent most of her life as a teacher in Adams. Her dream was to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy. She would be thrilled today to see the great good it has done over the years."
The William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy was established in 1995 by Margery Barrett using Pfizer stock inherited from her father and husband. Mrs. Barrett remained anonymous until she died in 2000, when the remainder of her trust was added to the fund. The fund has since distributed more than $2 million to worthy projects.
The nonprofit groups that received Barrett Fund grants include:
* Adams Police Department ($10,000) for the Police Athletic League, a program that allows the department to work closely with area youth in a structured athletic setting through basketball;
* BART Charter Public School ($7,003) for promoting health and wellness;
* Cheshire PTG ($4,200) for the Berkshire Theatre Festival Residency Program;
* Child Care of the Berkshires ($7560) to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum;
* Elder Services of Berkshire County ($8,000) for Meals on Wheels and group meals for seniors in Adams, Cheshire and Savoy;
* Elizabeth Freeman Center ($10,000) for the Child Safe Child Strong Program;
* Youth Center ($18,000) for community programs and outreach.
Font Resize
