October 26, 2009

Photo Finish for the October 26, 2009 Issue

The Webster Five Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, recently donated $3,000 to Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services Inc. (SYFS). The funds raised will help SYFS to continue working with local organizations to provide counseling and education services to Shrewsbury families, including violence intervention and prevention programs, after-school programming and youth development and leadership. Pictured, from left to right, are: Karen Kempskie-Aquino, vice president of Webster Five Cents Savings Bank; Jeffrey Chin, executive director of Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services Inc. and Richard T. Leahy, president and CEO of Webster Five Cents Savings Bank.

GFA Federal Credit Union of Gardner sponsored the recent Kid Expo at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner and taught basic finances through kid-run lemonade stands. The project was an element of GFA's Financial Education program, which teaches financial education to local students and residents through in-class lessons and seminars. Pictured: a young expo participant takes part in the lemonade stand program.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international nonprofit organization, recently donated $2,000 to the SHINE Initiative of Leominster-based Fidelity Bank. The money will assist the bank's program to fund biological research for cures to mental illnesses and to promote educational awareness, mental health programming and public policy. Pictured, from left to right, are: Joe Peto, secretary of the Leominster chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; Robert Lawrence, past president of the Leominster Aerie; Arlene Betteridge, executive director of the SHINE Initiative and Edward Manzi, president and CEO of Fidelity Bank.

Worker's Credit Union (WCU) of Fitchburg recently participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and raised more than $17,000. 2009 marked the 15th consecutive year that the credit union has taken part in the fundraising event, and this year the company was represented by 54 employees and family members. Pictured, from left to right, are: WCU Relay for Life team members Anna Ketola, Angie Prescott, Nina Babineau, Pam Prescott, and Patty Wayrynen.

UniBank for Savings of Whitinsville recently awarded its annual scholarships to graduating high school students in the Blackstone Valley. A total of 10, $2,000 scholarships were awarded on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, character and involvement in school or community activities. Pictured, from left to right, are: Ryan Flavin, a 2009 Grafton High School graduate and John F. Byrnes, assistant vice president and manager of UniBank's Whitinsville Plaza branch.