Hampden Bank gives $100K to support June 1 storm victims

Date: 6/13/2011

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to help bring relief to victims of the June 1 tornado, Hampden Bank announced that it is donating $100,000 to two local relief organizations — the local chapter of the American Red Cross will receive $75,000, and the Springfield Citadel Corps of the Salvation Army, $25,000.

"It was important for us to take swift action to help the individuals and businesses impacted by this unfortunate event. Our senior management team met early Thursday morning and together with members of our Board decided to fast track the release of funds from our Charitable Foundations directly to the Red Cross and Salvation Army. After all, helping our friends and neighbors in times of need is why our foundations exist in the first place," Thomas R. Burton, president and CEO, said.

As a means of extending that help throughout Western Massachusetts the bank has also established the Greater Springfield Tornado Relief Fund — a special account which allows anyone, virtually anywhere, to donate to the overall relief effort with contributions going directly to the local Red Cross. Contributions in the form of checks should be made out to: Greater Springfield Tornado Relief Fund and mailed to: Hampden Bank, Greater Springfield Tornado Relief Fund, 19 Harrison Ave., Springfield, MA 01103-2048, or dropped off at any Hampden Bank branch office.

Additionally, it was announced that any Hampden Bank customer who has sustained damage to their home or business due to this disaster should first contact their insurance company then contact the bank to determine if any relief steps are to be taken.

"Right now there's a lot of pain out there and our hearts go out to everyone trying to make sense of it all. I'm just thankful that as a local community bank we have the ability to move quickly to help people get through this, and I'm especially grateful to the people of Hampden Bank who are working toward bringing brighter days to everyone affected by this disastrous event," Burton said.