Pioneer Bank Launches the Pioneer Bank Foundation, Will Raise Funds for Capital Region Children Throughout 2019 and Beyond
8.9.2018
Colonie, New York — Pioneer Bank today announced the creation of the Pioneer Bank Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting charitable organizations in the Capital Region that provide important services to children and their families related to education, nutrition, clothing, and housing.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Pioneer Bank's headquarters in Colonie, at which Pioneer Bank President and CEO Tom Amell announced Pioneer Bank will match employee donations to the newly-formed Foundation in 2019 and beyond. Amell was joined by Pioneer Bank leadership and staff as well as New York State Sen. Neil Breslin and New York State Assemblymember Phil Steck.
"Pioneer Bank has a long and proud tradition of giving back to the communities we serve, and the formation of the Pioneer Bank Foundation is another chapter in that story,” said Pioneer Bank President and CEO Tom Amell. "We are proud to focus on serious issues that impact vulnerable children in our communities – such as nutritional and housing instability and lack of educational resources – to help 'Kids Be Kids' in the Capital Region.”
"Pioneer Bank has always been a leader in giving back to the community,” said New York State Sen. Neil Breslin. "This foundation is another example of that participation."
"As our hardworking families throughout the Capital Region struggle to put nutritious meals on the table and make ends meet, today's announcement of this new nonprofit is welcome news,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. "Pioneer Bank has long been a proud partner in the community and I am thrilled they are helping us provide the educational resources and basic necessities that our children need to learn, grow and be successful later in life.”
"For decades, Pioneer Bank has been providing first class financial services to the residents of the Town of Colonie,” said Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan. "Pioneer's tradition of supporting the community they serve is evident in their commitment to improving children's lives with the creation of the Pioneer Bank Foundation. Thank you, Tom Amell, the Board of Trustees, and the Pioneer staff for your continued commitment to the children of the Capital Region.”
Amell was also joined by Audra Higgins, Board President of CARES of NY, a not-for-profit organization that provides planning and administrative services to communities fighting homelessness, with whom Pioneer Bank has had a longstanding beneficial partnership. CARES of NY serves 27 counties in New York, including communities in which Pioneer Bank works.
"This year alone, we have seen nearly 3,000 people in Capital Region emergency shelters,” Higgins said. "This includes families, young adults, children, and veterans. These are people that deserve the safety and stability of a home, access to community services and the opportunities to contribute. We continue to actively work with partners like Pioneer Bank and Tom Amell to develop new ways to serve the needs in our region and eliminate the pain and despair felt by those enduring homelessness.”
"The mission of CARES of NY is perfectly in-line with the kind of positive impacts that we want to make via the Pioneer Foundation,” said Amell. "Stable housing is a critical factor for child development and we're proud to support an organization that does such an important service for children and families in the Capital Region.”
Amell also announced the Pioneer Bank Foundation's first major event: The Pioneer Bank Foundation Grand Carnival. The family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, September 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside Pioneer Bank headquarters at 652 Albany Shaker Road in Colonie. Attendees will enjoy food, family friendly activities, entertainment and games. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family.
One hundred percent of proceeds from the Grand Carnival ticket sales will go to the Pioneer Bank Foundation. Except for the Wolf Road branch that will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., all Pioneer branches will be closed on Saturday, September 8, to give Pioneer team members the opportunity to volunteer at the Grand Carnival. Customers may also utilize our six Interactive Teller Machines throughout the Capital Region or contact our Customer Care Center at 518-730-3000 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on Pioneer Bank and its charitable giving, please visit www.pioneerny.com/community.