Posted on November 2, 2022 3:36 PM
Last updated on Nov 2, 2022 3:36 PM
Written by Greg Sapp
Throughout October, the Washington Savings Bank held a fundraiser for the Pink Pumpkin Breast Cancer Awareness Contest. Employees signed up in teams to decorate a total of 14 pumpkins, which were displayed at each location. Donation jars were placed in front of each pumpkin so employees and customers could vote for their favourite.
The bank chose to donate to LeAnn’s Light (Effingham) and Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Mobile Mammography Unit (Mattoon).
“We are so proud of our employees and their enthusiasm for decorating these pumpkins! These local organizations are doing amazing things for our communities and we are happy to be able to help them and help raise awareness about breast cancer. said Elaine Buehnerkemper, senior vice president of customer service.
(THE LIGHTING PRESENTATION BY THE ANN. FROM LEFT: CAROL WALK, HALI FRAILEY, KATHY SCHROEDER, JIM SCHROEDER, DYLAN BUENKER, BALI BLOEMER)
Effingham branches raised $414.32 for LeAnn’s Light, which the bank matched for a total donation of $828.64. LeAnn’s Light offers cancer patients gift cards for their young children (18 and under). These children are often afraid of hospitals and worry about their sick parents. Often, birthday and holiday gifts, restaurant meals and entertainment become luxuries that parents cannot afford due to the cost of cancer treatments. These gift cards are intended to help ease the child’s fear and ease some of the financial burden felt by the parents. Gift cards can be used for toys, meals and other forms of entertainment that can distract the child whose parent is battling cancer. Donations can be mailed to the LeAnn Schroeder Hardiek Endowment at Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, PO Box 1211, Effingham, IL 62401 (make checks payable to LeAnn Schroeder Hardiek Friendship Endowment) or online at https://donate.enrichingourcommunity.org/LeAnn.
(THE SBL PRESENTATION. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: STACEY HIMES, KIM BLAIN, MEGAN VERDEYEN AND KIM LOCKART, SBL HEALTH FOUNDATION SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER)
Mattoon & Lerna branches of Washington Savings Bank raised $300.22 for SBLHC mobile mammography services. The Sarah Bush Lincoln Mobile Mammography Unit travels to health services, businesses, and SBL’s expanded campuses to provide greater access for women throughout East Central Illinois. The Washington Savings Bank matched the money raised, bringing the total donation to $600.44.
“Washington Savings Bank is a great community partner,” said Amy Card, director of the SBL Foundation. “Bank employees raised funds not only for our mobile mammography program, but also for our heart center and cancer center. Additionally, the bank has donated to many programs here at Sarah Bush Lincoln, including our Hospice House campaign. We are so grateful!
