Mascoma will donate another $2,500 it raised to other charitable organizations including the American Red Cross, which is also working on relief efforts in Haiti.
Sally McEwen, senior vice president of human resources at Mascoma, said the bank’s employees and directors began their fundraising effort after seeing a stream of images of despair in Haiti in news reports.
Originally the dollars raised by Mascoma were to go to a series of national organizations until news spread of the work Dartmouth students were doing on behalf of PIH, an organization that provides health care to Haiti and was co-founded by Dartmouth President Jim Yong Kim. To date, Dartmouth students have raised nearly $175,000 for PIH’s “Stand With Haiti” campaign. McEwen said the bank decided to offer employees two options: PIH and the Red Cross. Many employees have opted to give to both.
McEwen said bank employees also gave to organizations aiding Hurricane Katrina victims.
“We’re a community bank and that’s what we’re about – supporting the life of the community,” she said. “But we’re also about supporting those outside the community. It’s not uncommon for us to reach out to people who need help.”
“Mascoma is one of the leading members of the business community in the Upper Valley, and their commitment to supporting worthy local causes is well-known,” said Peter Glenshaw, director of community relations for Dartmouth. “This contribution to relief efforts in Haiti not only underscores their commitment to giving back, but it also suggests an innovative way for Dartmouth and the community to work together on issues of mutual concern both locally and internationally.”
More information on “Stand With Haiti” and how to contribute.
