Three Vermont libraries have received donations from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as part of the bank’s Casual for a Cause program, an employee-driven charitable initiative. Through this effort, employees dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction, pooling funds that are then distributed to nonprofit organizations each quarter.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees contributed to Brandon Free Public Library, Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, and Royalton Memorial Library, recognizing their role in enriching local communities.
“Bar Harbor Bank and their generous employees are valued community partners, playing a vital role in strengthening Brandon Free Public Library’s ability to expand its resources,” said Molly Kennedy, director of Brandon Free Public Library.
“This generous support enables us to expand our resources and programs. The bank’s commitment to our mission helps us build a stronger, more informed, and connected community,” said Clare McFarland, director of Norman Williams Public Library.
“This generous gift goes beyond books and resources; it is an investment in our community,” said Pam Levasseur, assistant director of Royalton Memorial Library.
Since its inception in 2018, Casual for a Cause has raised over $372,000 to support organizations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, highlighted the program’s impact: “By pooling their individual donations together, employees are able to be part of more substantial contributions that have a very real impact on the community organizations and the people they serve.”
In addition to the Vermont libraries, the latest round of donations benefited organizations in Maine and New Hampshire, including Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity, which serves Vermont and New Hampshire.
For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s community initiatives, visit: barharbor.bank.
