March 31, 2020 – Essex, Connecticut – Essex Savings Bank is pleased to announce that, through its Community Investment Program (CIP), the Bank will be giving out $369,267 to support local non-profits and civic groups in 2020. The added monies available were in direct response to the successes of 2019, the Bank’s most profitable year on record. Gregory R. Shook, President & CEO stated, “It gives me great pleasure in light of the pandemic we are all now facing, to be able to provide needed funding to support these vital organizations in our community.”

The Bank’s CIP provides funding through numerous channels; customers allocate 30% of funds by voting for three of their favorite participating causes, charities or organizations on an annual ballot. The remaining 70% of funding is distributed by the Bank’s Directors, Senior Officers, Branch Managers and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary Essex Financial Services, Inc. Through its CIP, the Bank has donated nearly $5 million dollars to over 200 local nonprofit organizations. In addition to these donations, many of the Bank’s employees offer their time and expertise to nonprofit organizations in both official board and volunteer capacities.
Essex Savings Bank is delighted to also share the results of its annual customer ballot initiative to which 72 organizations participated this past February. The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Food Pantries, which has received the greatest number of votes every year they have participated, was again awarded the largest number of votes translating into the largest monetary award, nearly $10,000. The remaining 71 organizations, whose missions range from servicing low income individuals, to youth and senior services and from emergency services to animal welfare and the arts received a combined total of $101,106.

Essex Savings Bank is a FDIC insured, state chartered, mutual savings bank established in 1851. The Bank serves the Connecticut River Valley and shoreline with six offices in Essex (2), Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook providing a full complement of personal and business banking. Financial, estate, insurance and retirement planning are offered throughout the state by the Bank’s Trust Department and wholly-owned subsidiary, Essex Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.

After 15 years of successfully supporting the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, AngelRide 2019 will support another children’s camp – The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp in Union, CT.

About The Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp:
Founded in 1991, this camp provides a safe camping environment for burn survivor children between the ages of 8-18. These young heroes attend this empowering program at no charge, thanks to volunteers and donations from the public. Firefighters representing every state in New England, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Victoria, British Columbia, along with Nurses, Physical and Occupational Therapists from leading burn centers along the east coast and adult burn survivors make up the 100 plus volunteer staff.

Campers enjoy a fun filled one-week camping adventure where they enjoy swimming, boating, navigating a ropes course, archery, hiking and paintball to name a few activities – all are designed to challenge each child physically. This camp provides a safe environment that teaches them confidence, self-esteem and most importantly acceptance of each other.  A burn injury is a life-altering event.  For a child, it means facing a life-long emotional and physical journey to accept scars and disfigurements caused by the tragedy.  Our Burn Camp brings these survivors together for a fun-filled, empowering week of peer support to sustain their journey.  Visit www.ctburnsfoundation.org for more information.

AngelRide 2019 will be held June 1-2, 2019 – there are several options for riders, including a kids’ fun Ride.  For routes, information and to register — www.angelride.org

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