Community Bank encourages residents to donate to local nonprofits
Giving Tuesday, held annually Nov. 30, was created in 2012 on the simple idea of encouraging people to do good. Over the years, it鈥檚 grown into a year-round global movement that inspires people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Community Bank has championed the notion of supporting and giving back to the communities it serves, and the company has built a legacy around its philosophy of 鈥渘eighbors helping neighbors.鈥�
Through its Community Bank Cares program, the financial institution has donated more than $400,000 to charities and nonprofits throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia since 2015.
The program, which allows the bank to bridge important funding to meaningful organizations, continues to prove vital as local nonprofits struggle to navigate the latest effects of the pandemic.
鈥淎s we enter this season of giving, please consider donating to your local nonprofits,鈥� Community Bank CEO and President John H. Montgomery said. 鈥淢any are still struggling as a result of the pandemic and any type of donation will help them provide much needed services to our area.鈥�
MaChal Forbes, executive director of the United Way of Greene County, said every little bit of giving helps.
鈥淲hen we partner with entities like Community Bank, because they are so well respected and known, it instantly gives us a boost in people trusting us and wanting to get involved,鈥� Forbes said. 鈥淎 huge part of our efforts is getting our message into the community.鈥�
Ed Chess, Jr., the chairman of the board for Flenniken Public Library, in Carmichaels, said small nonprofits, like the library, are often taken for granted.
鈥淧eople just assume that we will be OK. They assume we a part of a government program, but that鈥檚 not the case,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ibraries鈥� survivals are tied to their communities. No donation size is too small.鈥�
He encourages communities to support their local nonprofits through 鈥渢ime and treasury鈥� year-round.
鈥淲hile 2021 has had a much sunnier outlook compared to 2020, expenses went up and donations went down,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e are looking for support in any way.鈥�
While monetary donations are important to nonprofits, Proudfit said there are other ways to support your local nonprofits.
鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking for food, toys and paper for the printer,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have a ton of stuff on our wish list. You can purchase items via Amazon or drop off donations at the shelter.鈥�
Forbes said nonprofits make it easy for community members to donate or volunteer their time.
鈥淚f you would like to make a donation, you can do so on the website,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very easy to give and it is greatly appreciated.鈥�
For more information on the Community Bank Cares program, visit www.communitybank.tv.