PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The holidays are a time for giving and employees of Machias Savings Bank in Presque Isle have made giving back to their community a priority this year.
All year long, employees have dressed in jeans on Friday to collect money for the branch’s Casual for a Cause Fund. The Casual for a Cause Funds can be used for a variety of endeavors, from helping a school group to assisting a family that has fallen on hard times.
As December neared, employees were encouraged to choose an organization to support and to make a personal donation of approximately $100.
Assistant Branch Manager Renee Saucier and Mortgage Specialist Cindy Thibeau hadn’t quite decided what they wanted to do with their funds, when an opportunity presented itself.
“We had just finished having dinner with all the employees from the Presque Isle and Caribou Machias Savings Bank Branches when we struck up a conversation with our waitress,” explained Saucier. “She told us about her son, and how much strength and courage he has shown battling brain cancer. When we mentioned Make-A-Wish, the waitress teared up and told us how Make-A-Wish had entered her family’s life at a time when they needed it most, providing her son and family with the best days of their lives. Right then and there, we knew we’d use our $200 to make a donation to Make-A-Wish in her child’s name!”
Other employees sought to assist furry friends in need.
Machias Savings Bank staff visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle with a holiday donation, part of their Casual for a Cause yearlong fundraising effort. From left are Tim Goff, Presque Isle branch manager; Autumn Hamann, financial services specialist; and Betsy Hallett, humane society director.
(Courtesy of Machias Savings Bank)
“Someday, I will probably be identified as a crazy dog lady because I love animals,” admitted Autumn Hamann, a financial services specialist. “I already donate to an animal rescue, but I was happy to provide support to the Central Aroostook Humane Society on behalf of Machias Savings Bank. It feels good to help an organization that does so much in our community.”
Employees helped other organizations, including the Mars Hill Community Cupboard, United Way of Aroostook’s Santa’s Sleigh program, Friends Helping Friends food pantry in Fort Fairfield, the Trinity Lodge’s Bikes for Books Program and the Presque Isle High School girls’ soccer team travel expenses. In all, staff raised $1,000 to help brighten the holidays for others throughout central Aroostook.
“It’s been very rewarding for all of our team members to have an opportunity to make a difference to a cause that is near and dear to their hearts,” said Branch Manager Tim Goff.
“As a bank, Machias Savings provides more than $600,000 annually to support non-profits, schools, economic development efforts and more with an eye toward improving financial literacy and promoting community wellness, which is awesome.But sometimes, small gestures like this can mean much more because of the personal nature of feeling connected to someone or something,” he said.
“I have a strong feeling that our employees will look for different ways to help our community even more moving forward and not just through financial support. This really brought our team together and provided tremendous perspective at a time of year where the hustle and bustle of the holidays can overwhelm the true spirit of Christmas.”
