Community Bank NA WARMTH challenge grant reaches $17,500 goal

Overall fundraising efforts totaled more than $163,323 statewide

Photo (left to right): Travis Poulin, Chittenden Community Action Director and Anita Bourgeois, Community Bank Regional Manager. Courtesy photo.

Vermont Business Magazine In December, Community Bank NA challenged the community to help low-income Vermont families heat their homes in conjunction with Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s (CVOEO) WARMTH program. The bank pledged to match WARMTH donations dollar for dollar during the month of December, up to a total of $17,500.

Statewide, overall donations equaled $163,323, which is more than $30,000 above last year’s campaign total. On March 26, 2021, Community Bank N.A. presented CVOEO with the $17,500 donation to celebrate the end of a successful campaign.

“We are happy to continue our partnership with CVOEO in support of the WARMTH program,” Community Bank N.A. New England Regional Manager Anita Bourgeois said.  “Time and time again, our community steps up to the plate to help those in need and I am thrilled to see our friends and neighbors partnering with us to support such a deserving organization. Everyone deserves a home that is safe and warm.”

All funds will be distributed by CVOEO for use by all five community action agencies statewide for the emergency-based WARMTH program to help offset home heating bills. One hundred percent of donations will be used for WARMTH client services. Last year, WARMTH provided fuel assists to more than 2,560 households statewide. Since its inception in 1986, WARMTH has helped approximately 92,000 families keep safe and warm throughout the winter season.

“This is the most difficult of seasons as the most vulnerable are faced with extreme cold and a public health crisis,” Executive Director Paul Dragon said. “This is also a season of compassion and giving where the community and our partners shine bright.  We thank Community Bank for their contributions to the Warmth program and for their partnership – they are an anchor and beacon in our community.”

For more information about CVOEO and the WARMTH program, visit cvoeo.org. To apply for home-heating assistance, contact your local community action agency. Vermonters age 60 and older may also call the Senior Helpline at 800-642-5119 for assistance. For more information about Community Bank N.A., visit cbnanews.com.

Community Bank operates more than 235 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Throughout its more than 150-year history, the bank has remained committed to a community-focused approach that puts customers first.

For more information about Community Bank, visit cbnanews.com.

About Community Bank System Inc.
Community Bank System Inc. operates more than 235 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts through its banking subsidiary, Community Bank N.A. and has been serving its communities for more than 150 years. With over $13 billion in assets, the DeWitt, New York-headquartered company is among the country’s 125 largest financial institutions. Community Bank N.A. has consistently been ranked among the top 12 best banks in America by Forbes Magazine since the list was first published in 2009, and was most recently ranked tenth in 2020. In addition to a full range of retail and business banking services, the Company offers comprehensive financial planning, insurance and wealth management services through its subsidiaries/business units that include: OneGroup NY Inc., which provides risk management and commercial insurance, employee benefits and personal lines insurance; Community Bank Wealth Management, which provides investment advisory, personal trust and financial planning services, as well as personal, business and nonprofit portfolio design; and Benefit Plans Administrative Services Inc., which provides actuarial, retirement…