Commitment to Community
WCB operates differently than many banks by placing greater emphasis on its efforts within the community.
Happy Mother's Day!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we won't be able to give our customers Mother's Day flowers as we have in the past. Instead, in your honor we made donations to local non-profit organizations serving those affected by the pandemic - seniors, families, and individuals in need of food and housing assistance. Thank you to all of our customers for your patience in these challenging times.
WCB Employees Make a Difference
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increase in need for food assistance for families who are facing joblessness and hunger. Council of Social Concern, which runs a local food pantry that serves Woburn and Winchester residents, has seen the number of clients they serve increase by over 50%. WCB employees held a food drive to collect food for those in need and delivered our collection to Social Concern this week. Please support Council of Social Concern https://www.socialconcern.org or any food assistance programs, your donation can make a difference.
WCB is proud to support our small business communities.
Our lending team has been working hard to process Small Business Association (SBA) loan applications under the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). We are pleased to have obtained approval for all of the applications submitted. Thank you to all of our customers for your support and patience during this unprecedented time.
WCB donated $10,000 to Bread of Life’s “Under One Roof Capital Campaign” to help build a new facility where all services can be provided in one building: kitchen, food pantries, and a resource multi-service community hall. As part of the building project, 14 units of permanent affordable apartments for formerly homeless individuals and veterans will be built.
Pictured (left to right): Coley Carden, VP-Residential Lending, WCB; Chris Chitouras, Capital Campaign Chair, Bread of Life; Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, Executive Director, Bread of Life; Laurie Leahy, VP-Commercial Lending, WCB; Patty Kelly, Development Director, Bread of Life.
Winchester Co-operative Bank participated in the annual Buy-a-Bed campaign. Between the donations from customers and employees and a Bank match, WCB presented a check to the Mission of Deeds of $2,846. Bruce Murison, Executive Director from Mission of Deeds, said, “Winchester Co-operative Bank has been supporting Mission of Deeds ever since Tony Triglione founded the charity in 1993. For the Bank and its customers to continue to raise so much money all these years later shows the generosity and community spirit of Winchester Co-operative and its customers. We and the families we help are grateful.”
Pictured (left to right): Julie Hammond, Marketing and Community Relations, WCB; Jason Erwin, Asst. Manager, WCB; Paula Goss, Mission of Deeds; Jeanne Gagnon, Teller, WCB; Colleen Henehan, Manager, WCB.
Winchester Co-operative Bank donated to the Council of Aging to help support the transportation program that assists seniors on trips to the grocery store, religious services, and medical appointments. Tom Howley, Chairperson Council on Aging, said, “Transportation is a critical need for Winchester seniors and Winchester Co-operative Bank’s generous funding support enables the COA to provide many transportation opportunities to vulnerable citizens. We are eternally grateful for their financial assistance.”
Pictured (left to right): Phillip Beltz, Director of the Jenks Center; Joan Grenzeback, Chairperson of the Transportation Committee and member of the Council on Aging; Mark Kellett, President & CEO, Winchester Co-operative Bank; Tom Howley, Chairperson of the Council on Aging.
WCB once again matches local Salvation Army Kettle drive contributions. We contributed an additional $5,000 to The Salvation Army, more than doubling the amount contributed by the local community toward the 2019 Kettle drive.
“Each year we are reminded that many individuals and families are struggling just for the basic necessities,” said Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Thanks to the generous support of the community and Winchester Co-operative Bank, we are able to help meet the anticipated needs of our neighbors in need in 2020.
Pictured (left to right): Mark Kellett, President & CEO, WCB; Julie Hammond, Marketing and Community Relations, WCB; Michael Skoog, Sr. Field Representative, Salvation Army; Saida Idouahmane, AVP, WCB.
We are happy to support our communities with the donation of $10,000 to Just-A-Start Corporation in its mission to provide affordable housing for low and moderate income families and assist with education and workforce training programs.
Pictured (left to right): Laurie Leahy, VP, WCB; Carl Nagy-Koechlin, Executive Director, Just-A-Start; Coley Carden, VP, WCB; Mark Fisher, Executive VP, WCB.
During the 2019 holiday season, Winchester Co-operative Bank partnered with the Watertown Police and Fire Departments and the Woburn Fire Department to serve as drop-off locations for gifts to be donated to children. Police Chief Michael Lawn said, “The Watertown Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Whooley Foundation are extremely grateful for all the support the Winchester Co-operative Bank has provided over the years. Winchester Co-op’s involvement with the Whooley Foundation helps to ensure a great holiday season for some of Watertown’s finest youths.” The Whooley Foundation is a non-profit founded in the memory of John Whooley, a Watertown Police Officer.
Come visit us Saturday, December 14th or 21st to get a free picture with Santa! Visit our Winchester branch at 19 Church Street from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm for a great photo and a free gift!
Winchester Co-operative Bank has made a donation to the Tanner Ta Ta Foundation. The Foundation’s primary focus is to provide targeted, personal support and services to local area survivors and women in treatment for breast cancer.
Pictured (left to right): Julie Hammond, Marketing and Community Relations, WCB; Suzanne Clurman, Tanner Ta Ta Foundation; Joanne M. Reese, SVP WCB.
During the month of November, the Winchester Co-operative Bank participated with the Council of Social Concern in their annual Holiday Food Drive. We collected food donations at both our Winchester and Woburn branches to help families in need during the holidays.
Winchester Co-operative Bank was honored to purchase the flags that fly on the new poles at the Ferullo Field in North Woburn honoring our veterans.
Larry Guiseppe, Friends of Woburn Veterans Chairman said, “The Flag Pole Project at Ferullo Field was a great success. It salutes all of the branches of the military that risk their lives each day to protect our freedom. The Friends of Woburn Veterans would not have been able to complete this project without the help of significant donations such as the one we received from the Winchester Co-operative Bank, thank you to the bank for helping us make this Flag Pole Park possible.”
Pictured: Chris Irving (L) and Jack Beauchamp (R) from WCB.
In the month of October, Winchester Co-operative Bank held a raffle at their Woburn branch, and four lucky winners won an iPad. Pictured are the winners with our Woburn branch officers, Linda Kelley and Michelle Grzela.
iPad winners pictured (left to right): Paula M, Christine O, Mary M, Peter M.
The Winchester Co-operative Bank is pleased to announce their recent donation of $10,000 to the Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA). HCA works with local organizations toward solving housing issues and preventing homelessness. HCA also provides affordable housing outreach and assistance services to Arlington and surrounding communities.
Pamela Hallett, Executive Director at the Housing Corporation of Arlington said, “Winchester Co-operative Bank has been a staunch supporter of the Housing Corporation of Arlington in our efforts to produce more rental units to house the people of our region in safe affordable units. We are very grateful for the Bank's ongoing support.”
(L to R) Coley Carden, VP, Winchester Co-operative Bank; Pam Hallett, Executive Director, Housing Corporation of Arlington; Mark Fisher, Executive Vice President, Winchester Co-operative Bank.
Winchester Co-operative Bank employees and their families volunteered at the annual Woburn Lions Halloween Parade on October 27, walking along the parade route passing out candy to the spectators, including children dressed in costumes.
Bryan Murphy, the Parade Chairman of the Woburn Host Lions Club said, “For the last 65 years our Lions Club has never let the Citizens down, rain and all we went forward to raise funds for the visually challenged people in the community. It is only with the strong support & backing of local places like the Winchester Co-operative Bank that we can provide this parade. We are so grateful for the support & dedication by the Bank and their staff.”
Volunteers from Winchester Co-operative Bank and their families with the Chairman of the Woburn Halloween Parade, Bryan Murphy
Winchester Co-operative Bank employees and their families had fun participating in the Mission of Deeds Annual Family Fun Festival, in memory of Tony Triglione, held on September 15, 2019.
Winchester Co-operative bank is dedicated to improving and strengthening our communities. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, WCB employees were proud to volunteer at Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons provides an incredible service ensuring local children have the proper tools to learn and excel. WCB employees not only donated their time and efforts to this worthwhile cause, but also presented a check for $500.00. It was truly an honor to be part of this great organization and help those in need.
Pictured (Left to Right): Jane Errico, Joanne Reese, Saida Idouahmane, Tania McLain, Christine Greene, Colleen Henehan, Lee Rose Wachendorf, Ann Marie Smith
Laurie and Ann Marie are doing a great job handing out WCB reusable bags to all who stopped by the tent for the start of the 2019 Farmers Market season.
Pictured (Left to Right): Ann Marie Smith, Laurie Leahy
On June 1st Winchester Co-operative Bank had fun giving out T-Shirts and participating in Town Day by sponsoring the Petting Zoo and the WFEE road race.
Winchester Co-operative Bank continues its support of the YMCA Power Scholars Academy in Woburn. The Power Scholars Academy was established to assist students in Grades K-2 for whom an academic achievement gap has been identified. The North Suburban YMCA has partnered with BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) to help fill the gap by offering a unique learning experience with a proven track record of success. WCB is proud to continue this support with a donation of $5,000.00 toward this summers program.
Pictured (left to right): Joanne M. Reese, SVP WCB; Coley Carden, VP, WCB; Joe Connelly, Ex. Director Woburn YMCA; Mark Kellett, President, WCB.
During this past winter, WCB made a donation to support a program to renovate and expand the Woburn Public Library. The project makes significant progress toward making the facility a 21st century library, with improved access, space and programs.
Winchester Cooperative Bank was pleased to be able to assist in this dramatic renovation and expansion program by donating $10,000.00 to the Woburn Public Library Foundation. This is in line with one of WCB’s goals of making educational tools available to the area, and recognizes that their contribution offers an opportunity to enhance the educational background of all local residents. It is with great pleasure that WCB takes another step in promoting better education for all throughout the entire Greater Woburn area.
Pictured: Joanne M. Reese, SVP of Winchester Co-op; Meghan Needham, Trustee of Woburn Library Foundation; Chris Irving, VP of Winchester Co-op; Claire Murphy, Ex. Director Woburn Library Foundation; and Mark Kellett, President of WCB.
On Thursday, January 24, 2019, Winchester Co-operative Bank (WCB) concluded its 125th Anniversary Celebration of Community with a donation to the Wright-Locke Farm’s All Seasons Barn Campaign. WCB is pleased to be part of this worthwhile project and is excited for the numerous opportunities it will provide to the community.
The accompanying photo shows those at the presentation of the check.
Pictured (left to right): Archie McIntyre, Executive Director Wright-Locke Farm, Joanne Reese, SVP, Winchester Co-operative Bank, Amy Rindskopf, Event Manager, Wright-Locke Farm, Lia O’Donnell, President of Wright- Locke Farm Conservation Board and Mark H. Kellett, President & CEO of Winchester Co-operative Bank.
Winchester Co-Operative Bank staff gets into the spirit of Halloween.
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, the retail staff at WCB wore costumes to work in observance of Halloween. The costumes represented a wide variety of characters, including Lucy and Ethel, from the scene at the chocolate factory in “I Love Lucy”. The employees really brought a smile to the faces of the customers who came in. Many customers commented on how good the costumes were, talked about what shows they were from and reminisced about when the shows were popular. It is always nice to have someone make you smile, and the employees of WCB did their best to do just that.
Pictured (left to right): Jan Fitzgerald, Jeanne Gagnon, Colleen Henehan,Christine Greene, Diane Delaney, Carrie Magee.
The Winchester Co-operative Bank is pleased to announce their recent donation of $25,000.00 to the Winchester Housing Authority. The donation is earmarked for capital improvements at the Wesley Street and Palmer Street locations. It will go a long way to improve and enhance the living conditions of the elderly and disabled residents in those units, while also serving as a significant energy and cost savings for the Winchester Housing Authority.
WCB makes this contribution during their 125th Anniversary Year. The Bank continues its “Celebrating Community for 125 years” campaign aimed at enhancing our community while enriching the lives of its residents. The accompanying photo shows those at the presentation of the funds to the Winchester Housing Authority.
Pictured (left to right): Mark Fisher, Executive Vice President; Joanne Reese, Senior Vice President; John Hurd, Executive Director for Winchester Housing Authority; Coley Carden, Vice President.
Winchester Cooperative Bank continues its support of the Rush Out And Read (ROAR) Program through the Winchester Public Library. On June 7, 2018, several children who have participated in and benefitted from this year’s program, as well as those who work with ROAR through the library, came to WCB to accept the bank’s donation and celebrate its success.
WCB is pleased to continue support of this program, inspiring the youth of today to better literacy and furthering their knowledge through reading.
Joining the ROAR students are: Stephanie Wolflink (Head of Children’s Services, Library); Theresa Maturevich (Assistant Director, Library); Joanne Reese – Senior Vice President, WCB; Dennis Kronenberg (ROAR coordinator); Mark Kellett – President and CEO, WCB.
Winchester Co-operative Bank continues its 125th Anniversary Celebration of Community with a donation targeting education. The YMCA Power Scholars Academy in Woburn was established in 2017 to assist students in Grades K-2 for whom an academic achievement gap has been identified. When School is out for the summer many youth experience learning loss due to limited or no access to books or classroom instruction. The North Suburban YMCA has partnered with BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) to help fill that gap by offering a unique learning experience with a proven track record of success. WCB is proud to help sponsor this program designed to help children in the community reach their full potential.
Pictured (left to right) Coley Carden, VP, WCB; Bobbi Williams, Ex. Director Woburn YMCA; Mark Kellett, President, WCB; Aline Dallaire, Program Executive for Dept. of Child Development; Joanne M. Reese, SVP, WCB.
Winchester Co-operative Bank (WCB) is honored to participate in and sponsor events at this year’s Winchester Town Day as the Bank celebrates our 125th year of service to the local community. The day starts with the Winchester Town Day Road Race to benefit the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE). WCB is proud to sponsor this year’s Road Race in support of WFEE’s efforts to foster innovation and excellence in the Winchester Public Schools. After the race please stop by the Bank to get your 125th Anniversary T-shirt which you are welcome to wear when visiting the Petting Zoo on the common later in the day. WCB is pleased to once again sponsor this traditional family activity.
Pictured (left to right) Mark Kellett, President, WCB; Ceci Cordeiro, Co-President of the WFEE; Heidi Driscoll, Co-President of the WFEE; and Joanne Reese, Senior Vice President, WCB.
During the 2017 holiday season, Winchester Co-operative Bank partnered with the Watertown Police Department and the Whooley Foundation, a non-profit founded in the memory of John Whooley, a Watertown Police Officer, to serve as a drop-off location for gifts to be donated to children in the surrounding communities. The Whooley Foundation mission is to ensure no child in the surrounding communities goes without the joy of opening a present during the holidays.
WCB was pleased to serve as one of the drop-off locations for the second year in a row and this year, almost 500 unwrapped gifts for children were collected. The expectations of children during the holiday season are high, and one of the greatest joys is to see a child’s face when they open a gift. WCB is pleased to be part of this worthwhile project and to be able to experience the true spirit of the season through the eyes of a child.
Pictured (left to right): Detective David Collins, Watertown PD; Christopher Irving, WCB VP – Operations; Mark Fisher, WCB Sr. VP and Chief Lending Officer; Mark Comeiro, Watertown Veterans Agent; Michel Lawn, Chief - Watertown Police Department.
On Thursday, March 22, 2018, the Winchester Cooperative Bank had a team of employees volunteer to help this most noble cause. The event, hosted by the Winchester Rotary Club, saw WCB employees, along with others from our community, package over 12,000 meals bound for Africa. Those who participated said that it was quite rewarding to be involved in such an effort; another example of our employees always willing to lend a hand to help others.
Winchester Co-operative Bank (WCB) kicks off its 125th Anniversary Celebration of Community with recognition of a local, community-focused charity. For over forty years Minuteman Senior Services has helped meet the challenges of aging, disability and caregiving, through a variety of programs and services. As both Minuteman and WCB strive to serve our community, WCB is pleased to help support this mission.
Pictured (left to right): Mark Kellett, President of WCB; Patti Dubielak, Director of Marketing for Minuteman; Kelly Magee Wright, Executive Director for Minuteman; Kara Clark, SVP/CFO for WCB; Joanne M. Reese, SVP for WCB.
WCB once again supported the “Buy-A-Bed” campaign for the Mission of Deeds. Every year, the Mission of Deeds in Reading asks participation of surrounding towns to provide beds for needy families. There are many families in our area who face difficult circumstances. Providing them a bed at a difficult time offers both help and hope when they need it the most.
Our participation in the “Buy-A-Bed” Campaign this year was a great success. In fact, it was our highest collection for this program to date! Donations from customers and staff totaled $1,386.38. The Bank has generously matched this amount, for a grand total of $2,772.76.
Winchester Cooperative would like to thank the customers, staff and so many others of our community for their support of this worthwhile project and for reminding all of us of the true meaning of charity.
Pictured (left to right): Winchester Co-Operative Bank President Mark Kellett; Paula Gross; WCB Senior V.P. Joanne Reese.
Winchester Cooperative Bank donated $5,000 to Megan’s House to support young women in recovery. Megan’s House is a comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment home for young women between the ages of 18 and 26 who struggle with addiction and other co-occurring disorders.
Pictured (left to right): Winchester Co-Operative Bank V.P. of Commercial Lending Laurie Leahy; Megan's House Foundation Executive Director Kathleen McDonald; President Tim Grover; WCB Senior V.P. Joanne Reese; and WCB President Mark Kellett.
Pictured: Deborah Ruhe, Executive Director of Just-A-Start; Coley Carden, WCB Vice President.
Pictured: Pam Hallett, Executive Director of Housing Corporation of Arlington; Coley Carden, WCB Vice President.
WCB Donates to Hurricane Relief
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria brought substantial destruction to Texas, Florida and the Islands; the toll of lives lost, hurting communities, and destruction of homes and businesses is widespread and still unfolding. The recovery is going to be long and hard. WCB sent generous monetary gifts to The American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Save the Children in order to aid in relief efforts.
