Berkshire Taconic Foundation announces grants

SHEFFIELD, MA >> Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation recently announced the recipients of its first round of grantmaking for 2017. The foundation distributed nearly $380,000 in grants to individuals, school communities and nonprofits in the four-county region it serves, and over $2.7 million in grants from donors with charitable funds at the foundation.

In Litchfield County, Taylor Sherwood of Lakeville received the 2017 Margaret Derwin “Blue Sky” Scholarship, an award named in memory of a beloved 2005 graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Sherwood, currently a junior at the school, will receive as much as $25,000 annually toward tuition and other costs to attend the four-year, U.S. college or university of her choice, and up to $5,000 for an overseas enrichment program this summer.

Dr. Michael Rooke of Northwest Connecticut Community College received a scholarship to participate in Harvard Business School’s ‘Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management’ program. Taught by a team of Harvard faculty members who specialize in nonprofit management, and valued at $6,000 per participant, this intensive sixday program is for nonprofit CEOs, presidents or executive directors who are responsible for shaping the direction, policies and major programs of their organizations.

Six area funds and anonymous Columbia County donors contributed a total of $70,000 for eight nonprofit organizations to participate in Berkshire Taconic’s Nonprofit Learning Program, an intensive training course for executives and board leaders to learn best practices in governance, management and fund development. Led by internationally recognized nonprofit management consultant Simone Joyaux, this team-based program is comprehensive in scope, with five group training sessions, 12 hours of private consultation and a $2,000 implementation grant. In northwest Litchfield County, Kent Historical Society and Women’s Support Services are participating.

A full list of regional grants can be found at www.berkshiretaconic.org/springgrants.

Now in its 30th year, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities by inspiring charitable giving in northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY. A nonprofit public charity with $130 million in assets, the foundation distributed a total of $8.8 million through grants and scholarships in 2016 to nonprofits and individuals in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. You can make a difference. We can help. www. berkshiretaconic.org

Shine On 5K set for May 21 in Burlington

BURLINGTON >> The 7th annual Shine On 5k will be held on Sunday, May 21 at Lewis Mills High School. The 3.1 mile run and walk benefits the Karen DuCotey Fund for Kids, an immediate response fund operated by the Main Street Community Foundation, supporting students and families in Region 10 schools. Since the first event in 2011, the Shine On 5K has raised more than $40,000 for the DuCotey Fund for Kids benefitting children and families in Region 10 schools. Due to success from past races, the Karen DuCotey Fund for Kids granted more than $1,400 to families in need from Region 10 last year. This year, more than $1,700 is available for those in need. Proceeds from the race also support The Karen DuCotey Memorial Award which is given annually to a college bound Lewis Mills senior interested in becoming an elementary educator.

The event honors the memory of Karen DuCotey, who taught at Lake Garda Elementary School after growing up in Burlington and attending Region 10 schools herself. She was a resident of Torrington. The schedule this year is new, with earlier start times for each race based on feedback from our participants. Check in and day of registration begins at 9:30am. Runners and walkers can register today online at www.myburlingtonrec. com, clicking on Activities and selecting Shine On 5k from Special Events.

There is no fee to register online. Applications can also be printed at www.shineon5k. com, and mailed to the Burlington Parks and Rec. Participants should register prior to May 1 to guarantee they will receive a cotton race t-shirt.

The Shine On 5k is a family centered event with activities and fun for the whole family, including a DJ from Veigas Entertainment; popcorn and cotton candy machines provided by True Value of Litchfield; a bounce house; and two different kid’s fun runs. At 10:40 a.m., there will be a 1 mile fun run for kids 13 and under. The top three finishers in the 1 mile run will receive medals and gift certificates. Additional information, including mail in registration forms can be found at www. shineon5k.com. Contact shineon5k@gmail.com with any questions.

The USATF certified 5K run and walk begins at 11 a.m. Overall 5k winners (both male and female) receive cash prizes; the first male and female finishers that are teachers receive prizes as well, and the top three male and female finishers in each age group will receive medals. After the finish of the 5k, a free event, the “Dolphin Dash”, a ¼ mile fun run for kids 8 and under.