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Community Corner

Blue Hills Bank Riders Raise an estimated $140,000 for Pan Mass Challenge

A team of Blue Hills Bank employees  became bike riders this August and raised an estimated $140,000 in the Pan Mass Challenge.

“It’s kind of amazing,” comments team leader and SVP/Chief Credit Officer of Blue Hills Bank Tom Sommerfield, “On my first two-day ride seven years ago, I raised $4,300 and was just hoping I wouldn’t hurt myself in the process. Now we have a quite a team and it’s just going to get bigger!”

Charitable giving has become the culture at Blue Hills Bank since William M. Parent, President and CEO came on board in 2010 and swiftly established the Blue Hills Bank Charitable Foundation, developed a matching gift program and compensated employees for time off volunteering.  In fact, Parent was honored as a Community Bank Hero earlier in the year by Banker and Tradesman.  “Giving back to the communities we serve and taking a greater role in charitable efforts is a key point of Bill’s management,” comments Sommerfield.

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It’s estimated 50 percent of the $140,000 raised in the Pan Mass Challenge came directly from Blue Hills Bank employees and its Charitable Foundation.

“This bank puts it money where its mouth is,” comments Sommerfield, “and in a big way. Last year, the Blue Hills Bank Team raised $83,000 and three employees from the bank rode.  This year we had ten employees ride including a board member and two corporators. Bill and I have a substantially higher goal for next year and anticipate even more employee involvement.”

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Five year old Dylan Berio, Blue Hills Bank’s pedal partner, and thousands of other children suffering from Cancer, will benefit from the team’s fundraising efforts as 100 percent of the money raised from riders of the Pan Mass Challenge goes directly to the Dana Farber Institute through the Jimmy Fund. “As you ride, you go through aches and pains and having Dylan as our pedal partner, puts a face in your mind and in your fundraising efforts and just makes you want to do anything to support a kid like that.”

Blue Hills Bank donates five percent of pre-tax profits to its Charitable Foundation. The Bank also supports a matching grant program for Blue Hills Bank directors, corporators and employees.

 

Blue Hills Bank is a full service, mutual community bank headquartered in Hyde Park, MA. With assets of over $1.2 billion, the bank serves customers in Hyde Park, Brookline, Dedham, Norwood, West Roxbury and surrounding communities. Founded in 1871 as Hyde Park Savings Bank, the Bank is celebrating its 142nd year in business.
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