Berkshire Community Association awarded grant from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation

The Berkshire Community Association (BCA) recently received a generous grant from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation. These funds, supplemented by a grant from the Community Foundation for South Central New York, individual donations, and hundreds of volunteer hours, have permitted BCA to complete decade long renovation efforts to the handicap accessible 2500 square foot first floor of the Berkshire Community Hall. This specific project involved finished floor coverings, window, door and baseboard trim, new interior and exterior lighting, paint, exterior door improvements and entrance protection.

BCA is a Not for Profit, 501(c)(3) organization originally formed in 1999. After successfully completing nearly a score of Community projects, in 2005 BCA focused on the restoration of the Berkshire Community Hall. Once the cultural and social center of northern Tioga County, the Hall was abandoned in the early 1950s. 

Acquired by the Berkshire Fire District, the Hall was in turn leased to BCA in 2005. Extensive restoration began in 2006. Although BCA contemplates future major improvements such as second story insulation, purchase and installation of a three-floor handicap lift and an operational kitchen, the historic building is fully functional and includes water, sewer, heat, and two restrooms, a meeting room, basketball court and stage. 

The Berkshire Community Hall hosts hundreds of events annually including youth activities, dances, fundraisers, benefits, weddings, and frequent Berkshire Free Library children and family programs. Part of the first floor is home to the very active Helping Hands Food Pantry. The Hall is well on its way to becoming once again the social and cultural center for the area.

A large share of this very extensive ongoing project has been made possible by previous grants from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation. The staff and members of the Berkshire Community Association, and certainly the appreciative residents of Northern Tioga County, express sincere gratitude to the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation, whose continuing generosity has played such a significant role in returning this historic treasure to the local area.