Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/469141
www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2014 7 F or a community b an k li ke Clinton Savings Bank (clinton- savings.com), it is practi- cally impossible to sepa- rate what's best for the company from what's best for local individuals, families and busi- nesses. "That's because, at its core, true community banking is built on the idea that the strength of a community is best measured by how its residents, including local businesses, help one another," explains Robert J. Paulhus, Jr., President & CEO of Clinton Savings Bank. "Every bit of support we provide each other – from helping a neigh- bor to donating to local non-profits – is critical to a community's identity and well being." Clinton Savings Bank takes its role as a community bank seriously, which is why the Bank and the Clinton Savings Charitable Foundation donate more than $50,000 annually to approximately 200 local orga- nizations, all of which strengthen the region and make it a great place to live and work. In the case of the recent donation to restore the Old Methodist Church in Berlin, CSB recognizes the value the resulting community center will bring to town residents. In addition, supporting the Clinton Elementary School's Literacy Committee makes sense, since education is one of the key areas of focus for the Bank, and the entire student body benefits from the contribution. CSB wants to make sure every donation it makes has the greatest reach possible within the community. Sometimes that amount is small, such as matching the funds raised by a third grade class in Shrewsbury. Other times, the Bank will aim higher, as it did sponsoring the 2014 Bolton 5k Rally, which benefits different causes each year. This year the beneficiary was the Robert F. Kennedy Children Action Corp (Lancaster Campus), which helps up to 100 at-risk children. Of course, giving back takes more than cash donations. That is why CSB and its staff actively volunteer for a range of community organi- zations. Many CSB team members volunteer or serve in leadership roles at charities such as local food pantries, WHEAT Community Services, the Growing Places Garden Project and large organizations like the United Way of Tri-County. Instilling that sense of shared responsibility into the next genera- tion is extremely important to Clinton Savings Bank, which is why the Bank launched the CSB Champions Program. Through that pro- gram, CSB honors students from the region's elementary, middle and high schools, as well as local colleges, for their successes in school, sports, the arts or the community. "We're extremely proud with how the CSB Champions program has been received," Paulhus adds. "Acknowledging the contributions of the region's youth is just another way CSB can show our support and encourage them to continue on that path of giving." Few companies share CSB's specific mission – to make life better for all residents and local businesses. For Clinton Savings Bank, giving is built into its mission, and they are happy to deliver. n CLINTON SAVINGS BANK Building a Better Community Nonprofit Status 2014 (continued)