Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County (BCSS) has been selected as the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Members 1st Charitable Foundation.
“The Members 1st Charitable Foundation is proud to support Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County. We are committed to supporting local, grassroots organizations to make communities stronger, healthier, and more financially sound” said Sara Firestone, Executive Director, Members 1st Charitable Foundation.
In addition to receiving the grant from the Members 1st Charitable Foundation, Members 1st Federal Credit Union supports the organization’s annual Pink Passion for Fashion Show and Hear Our Voices Team Holly 5K in addition to team members volunteering their time.
Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County is a survivor-driven organization that provides hope, emotional support, education, and resources to every person affected by breast cancer. BCSS offers a variety of peer-to-peer support groups and resources, educational programs and workshops, comfort bags, creative arts, counseling assistance, and both email-a-survivor and phone line support systems to local breast cancer survivors.
In July, the organization will begin their 30th year of service to the Berks County community. Since inception in July of 1994, they have continued to raise 100% of their operating budget annually as all programs, services, and resources are provided at no charge to survivors, their family members, and caregivers.
Over the past two years, BCSS has increased the number of programs, services, and resources that are offered to support the mind, body, and spirit providing stress-relieving information, advocacy, friendship, counsel, and nourishment to one’s creative spark.
“The grant provided by the Members 1st Charitable Foundation will provide funding that will allow us to continue to offer programs to breast cancer survivors that raise spirits, provide relaxation, reduce boredom, help relieve depression, divert their minds from medical situations, provide creative stimulation, give creative satisfaction, and help them to communicate their feelings with their loved ones and medical team” said Michele Reinert, CFRE, Executive Director, BCSS.
The Members 1st Charitable Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to support local, grassroots organizations within South Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania to make them stronger, healthier, and more financially sound.
Founded by Members 1st Federal Credit Union in 2021, the Foundation receives ongoing support from the Credit Union, as well as donors and members from the communities it supports.
