Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter’s Disaster Relief Fund received an $8,000 donation from Katahdin Trust. Co. March 7.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
Katahdin Trust Co. presented an $8,000 check March 7 to the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter’s Disaster Relief Fund. For the eighth consecutive year, all 14 branch offices of Katahdin Trust Co. sold stuffed animals for Valentine’s Day with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross. Attending the check presentation were, from left: American Red Cross advisory committee members Steve Corbin and Pastor Brendan Bridges, Gloria Thompson, disaster volunteer; Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter; Pete St. John, senior vice president, commercial services, at Katahdin Trust Co.; Diane Green, assistant vice president and manager of the Presque Isle office; Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing at Katahdin Trust Co.; and Joe Clukey, assistant vice president, retail services officer at the bank.
For the eighth year, all 14 branch offices of Katahdin Trust Co. sold stuffed animals for Valentine’s Day with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross. The animals, which were available for a $10 donation, were designed and crafted with fabrics from the Mary Meyer Co. in Townshend, Vt.
“We are extremely pleased to present a check to the American Red Cross for $8,000 representing the sale of teddy bears for our Valentine’s Day project,” said Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing at Katahdin Trust Co. “It’s very exciting to be presenting this check today as this is our 90th birthday, having opened our doors for business in Patten March 7, 1918.
“Throughout our 90-year history,” she said, “we’ve had a commitment to serve the needs of our local communities and that commitment is well reflected here today with this successful fund-raising effort.”
Proceeds from the Valentine Bear Sales Campaign stay in Aroostook County.
“I want to extend a big thanks to our customers and employees who embrace this project year after year to purchase these cute, little stuffed animals with all proceeds being used to help local families in need,” Smith said. “This is our eighth year with the project and represents the largest amount of sales.”
Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter, said the proceeds coming from the support of the staff and customers of Katahdin Trust Co. could not have arrived at a better time.
“Just yesterday, our office responded to its sixth fire case within the past four weeks. These funds will help the Red Cross financially in providing no cost assistance to fire and disaster victims,” she said. “One never knows when they will need Red Cross assistance. When an individual or a family loses their home and belongings in a fire, the Red Cross is there to provide short-term safe shelter, clothes, food, replacement medications and mental health support – all at no cost nor pay back from the victims.
“Each day of disaster costs $1,270, and all funds come from local donations – no financial support is provided by the state or federal government,” said Knorr.
Officials said the Valentine Bear Sales Campaign was a “huge success” because of the bank’s “high energy and enthusiasm.”
“Next year, we will work in concert with our fund-raising committee members and Vicki Smith to make our selections and strive for a new goal of $10,000 plus,” Knorr said.
Over the years, Katahdin Trust Co. has helped raise nearly $60,000 through the bear sale campaign.
Katahdin Trust Co. serves the northern Maine area with branch offices located in Ashland, Caribou, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Island Falls, Limestone, Mars Hill, Oakfield, Patten, Presque Isle, Van Buren, and Washburn.
