PeoplesBank announces plan to support tornado victims

Date: 6/20/2011

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced a comprehensive, coordinated tornado relief plan last week that combines $200,000 in targeted financial support along with a variety of volunteer efforts.

The plan was developed after bank officials reached out to civic leaders and leading non-profit organizations in the community to find out how the bank could best help in the short and long term.

In a letter to employees on June 10, PeoplesBank President and CEO Douglas A. Bowen stated, "On June 8, I had the opportunity to tour the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Operations Center in Springfield. I was impressed with the sheer scale of their response effort, but was also moved by the deep personal commitment, compe-tence and compassion demon-strated by the entire team of emergency personnel.

"Individuals from across the nation are working night and day not only to clean up the cities of Springfield and Westfield, and the towns of West Springfield, Monson, Wilbraham and surrounding areas, but also to help the families affected by the storm to transition into recovery mode," he continued.

According to Bowen, PeoplesBank is intent on provi-ding targeted financial assistance where it will matter the most and lending a hand in terms of volunteer support when those needs become apparent.

The bank will increase its commitment to $50,000 to the Pioneer Valley American Red Cross. Square One, an organization that provides early education and child care support to working families in Western Massachusetts, will receive $25,000.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts will also receive $25,000 for its newly formed Tornado Relief Fund for Western Massachusetts.

An additional $100,000 will be donated to efforts that PeoplesBank has identified as being critical to the area's long term recovery, including specific efforts to help restore the environment and important community services.

Bowen also noted that the road to recovery is a long one, but right now the focus should be on those adversely impacted. "On behalf of PeoplesBank, I wish to express our sympathy for those affected by this tragedy. Please know that PeoplesBank is here to help, and we will do our utmost to aid recovery efforts — now and in the future. When our community comes together anything is possible."

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