MIDDLESEX, WORCESTER & NORFOLK COUNTY, MA – In December, Main Street Bank elected to give back to four local non-profit organizations in the spirit of holiday giving. $5,000 donations were awarded to each of the following organizations: United Way of Tri-County, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Massachusetts, Thrive Support & Advocacy Inc., and United Way of North Central MA Youth Venture.
“This has undoubtedly been a challenging year for all our communities, and even more so for the local non-profit organizations,” comments Walter Dwyer, CEO of Main Street Bank. “It makes sense for us as a community bank to use our resources to support the groups that serve our neighbors.”
The funds donated to the United Way of Tri-County will go towards funding their annual Tools for Schools backpack program. $5,000 can easily support providing 200 backpacks full of school supplies for students and schools in need. “With this generous donation we will be able to supply 200 backpacks to the local community,” says Barbara LaGrenade, Volunteer Center Director of United Way of Tri-County. “This gives the students the supplies needed to succeed in the classroom.”
Habitat for Humanity of North Central Massachusetts will be using this windfall to support the Critical Home Repair Program, a home preservation program that provides needed interior and exterior repairs for low-income homeowners, so that they may maintain a safe, decent, and affordable place to live. “Main Street Bank is a true community partner, and we are very grateful for their support for our work and mission this holiday season,” states Carolyn Read, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity NCM. “Habitat NCM’s Critical Home Repair program helps families in existing affordable homes in urgent need of assistance to keep their homes safe and warm. This grant will help us to help local families in need of these repairs.”
Thrive Support & Advocacy celebrates and nurtures the abilities of people with developmental disabilities in Metrowest, Central Massachusetts, and beyond. These funds will help support various programs, including participation in the Special
Olympics. “Main Street Bank is truly dedicated to making our community stronger,” says Sean M. Rose, President & CEO at Thrive Support & Advocacy. “We at Thrive Support & Advocacy are privileged to have their support and partnership.”
United Way Youth Venture inspires and invests in teams of youth to create lasting social change. Ventures are completely youth-created and youth-led to address a need they see in their community. Through the process of launching a Venture, young people learn the important skills of leadership, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and empathy as well as other valuable life skills. “This contribution will allow UWYV to provide seed funding to additional Venture Teams this year, as well as innovate ways to connect and engage with youth both in and out of traditional school settings,” says Lauren Mountain, Director of the United Way Youth Venture. “Without the support of donors like Main Street Bank, we would not be able to fulfill our mission. Their support means a great deal to those enriched by this gift and we are grateful for Main Street Bank’s contribution.”
Main Street Bank is committed to supporting local organizations that encourage economic growth and development, provide tools and education for individuals to become self-sufficient, and serve the most vulnerable of our populations. “As an organization, we can’t reach our full potential for success unless we can help others around us get there too. We are fully invested in making our communities financially healthy in more ways than one,” says Dwyer.