Skowhegan Savings celebrated the holiday season with its second annual Season of Giving’ by donating $20,000 to 20 local nonprofits. Started in 2021, the bank’s employees annually select 20 nonprofits in their communities, by branch and departments, to give $1,000 grants to as part of the program. Grant winners are announced on the bank’s social media over the course of 20 days, beginning on Giving Tuesday and ending Christmas Day.
“The bank and our employees take great pride in being a part of our communities and our second annual Season of Giving gives us just another way to show our appreciation to these communities, that support us year-round, by spreading a little extra holiday cheer at the end of each year,” said David Cyr, president and CEO of Skowhegan Savings, according to a news release from bank. “Our employees really enjoy having the opportunity to select the nonprofits. It’s always fun to see the diversity of organizations that they select and to witness the nonprofit’s appreciation when they surprise them with these grants. I’m proud to be part of an organization whose employees are so passionate about giving back to their communities.”
This year’s Season of Giving recipients included local food pantries, humane societies and other community initiatives, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine.
“We are so grateful for the bank’s continued support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine,” said Mae Slevinsky, interim executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. “Skowhegan Savings’ generosity positively impacts programs that connect local youth with positive role models who can ignite their greatest potential.”
Employees of the bank’s call center choose to recognize Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid Maine with their Season of Giving grant.
On the bank’s fifth day of Season of Giving, the employees of the accounting and facilities departments selected the Humane Society of Waterville as their 2022 grant recipient.
Jonathan Burrows, the bank’s facilities manager, stopped by the Humane Society of Waterville to surprise them with a $1,000 Season of Giving grant on behalf of the bank’s accounting and facilities departments.
The humane society has been serving the greater Waterville area as a safe haven for animals in need since 1970, currently caring for about 1,800–2,000 animals each year with an average 97% placement rate.
Other nonprofits, that received Season of Giving grants this year, included:
Augusta Food Pantry, Baker Mountain Tow Ski Club, Dexter Age Friendly Gatherings, Franklin County Animal Shelter, Jackman Moose River Fire Department, Jayden’s Warrior Pack, Madison Junior High Food Pantry, RSU #9 Food Pantry, Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, Maine Needs, Mid Maine Homeless Shelter, Norridgewock Housing Authority, Rangeley Rises, Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard, Somerset Humane Society, Sweet Dreams Project, The Pixel Fund and Western Maine Center for Children.
“Rangeley is such a tight knit community, we’re always there for one another in times of need,” said Ashley Quimby, Rangeley branch manager. “Our team always gets excited to participate in the bank’s Season of Giving program each year, as it’s another opportunity for us to give back to our community during the holiday season.”
This year, the bank’s Rangeley branch selected Rangeley Rises for their Season of Giving grant. Born out of the pandemic in 2020, Rangeley Rises is a community initiative that supports each other in a time of need from their Friends Helping Friends program, that provides meals and delivery to residents, to working with local businesses to keep community members and summer guests safe.
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