Bank announces investment program ballot

ESSEX — On Jan. 18, Gregory R. Shook, President & Chief Executive Officer of Essex Savings Bank announced the 72 organizations that will participate in the 2018 Community Investment Program ballot.

“We are so pleased that our success continues to allow our customers the ability to direct funds to non-profits that matter most to them,” Shook said in a statement.

The bank annually commits up to 10 percent of its after-tax net income to qualifying organizations. The ballot initiative is limited to the immediate market area consisting of Chester, Deep River, Essex, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook while other programs include the surrounding region.

Essex Savings Bank customers determine 30 percent of the fund allocations each year by voting directly for three of their favorite causes, charities or organizations who have submitted applications to participate. Ballots will be available at all Essex Savings Bank offices until Feb. 28, to determine the allocation of funds. Beginning this year, customers are also offered the option to vote by logging onto their Essex Savings Bank online account. The remaining 70 percent of funding is distributed by the bank’s directors, senior officers, branch managers and the bank’s wholly owned subsidiary Essex Financial Services, Inc.

Organizations (72) qualifying to appear on the 2018 ballot include: Act II Thrift Shop, Inc.; Bikes for Kids, Inc; Camp Claire; Camp Hazen YMCA; CDE (Chester, Deep River, Essex) Cooperative Nursery School; Chester Elementary School-Parent Teacher Organization (PTO); Chester Historical Society; Chester Land Trust; Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc.; Common Good Gardens, Inc.; Community Co-Op Nursery School of Old Saybrook; Community Music School; Con Brio Choral Society, Inc.; Connecticut Cancer Foundation, Inc.; The Connecticut River Museum at Steamboat Dock; The Country School, Inc; Deep River Ambulance Association, Inc.; Deep River Fire Department, Inc.; Deep River Historical Society, Inc.; Deep River Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Inc.; Deep River Land Trust, Inc.; E.C. Scranton Memorial Library — Madison; Essex Ambulance Association, Inc.; Essex Community Fund, Inc.; Essex Elderly and Affordable Housing, Inc.; Essex Elementary School Foundation, Inc.; Essex Fire Engine Company No. 1; Essex Historical Society, Inc.; Essex Land Trust, Inc.; Essex Winter Series; Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc.- Meals on Wheels; Forgotten Felines, Inc.; Friends In Service Here (F.I.S.H.); Friends of Hammonasset, Inc.; Friends of the Deep River Public Library, Inc.; Friends of the Essex Library; Friends of the Lymes’ Senior Center, Inc.; High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.; Homeward Bound Adoptions CT, Inc.; Hope Partnership, Inc.; Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation, Inc.; The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate); Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore, CT, Inc.; Lyme Ambulance Association Inc.; Lyme Art Association, Inc.; The Lyme Fire Company, Inc.; Lyme Public Hall Association, Inc.; Lymes’ Elderly Housing, Inc. (Lymewood); Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau; Madison Ambulance Association, Inc.; Madison Lyric Stage, Inc.; Maritime Education Network, Inc.; Musical Masterworks, Inc.; Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc.; Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Association; Old Saybrook Fire Company Number One, Inc.; Old Saybrook Historical Society; Pay Forward, Inc.; Region 4 Education Foundation, Inc. (R4EF); Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation, Inc.; SARAH, Inc.; The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Inc.; Simply Sharing, Inc.; Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM); Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc.; Valley Shore Animal Welfare League; Valley Shore YMCA; Vibe Show Choir Supporters, Inc.; Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Inc. (VNLV); Waggle, Inc.; Westbrook Project Graduation, Inc.; Westbrook Youth and Family Services, Inc.

Essex Savings Bank is a FDIC insured, state chartered, mutual savings bank established in 1851. The Bank serves the Connecticut River Valley and shoreline with six offices in Essex (2), Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook providing a full complement of personal and business banking.

Middletown’s Penguin Plunge is coming up

MIDDLETOWN — Special Olympics Connecticut will host five Penguin Plunge events during its anniversary year in 2018, including Middletown’s Penguin Plunge at the Polish Falcons Club at Crystal Lake in Middletown on Saturday, March 3; Winsted Plunge at Highland Lake in Winsted on Saturday, March 3; Shoreline Plunge at Ocean Beach Park in New London on Sunday, March 4; and Westport Penguin Plunge at Compo Beach in Westport on Saturday, April 7.

In addition to the plunge into icy waters, event highlights will include music, refreshments, a parade of plungers and an awards ceremony. To join in, participants must raise a minimum of $100 and be at least eight years old. Costumes and team outfits are encouraged. In addition to incentives that include apparel and backpacks, awards for best costume, top fundraising individual and top fundraising group will be handed out. Signing up early helps participants reach their fundraising goals and ensures they receive a FREE event t-shirt. For details and to register to Plunge, visit soct.org. Questions? Call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org. Also, follow Special Olympics Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Adult education programs offered

MIDDLETOWN — There are three ways to succeed with Middletown Adult Education. GED preparation classes, independent study, online and classroom instruction are offered. Free day and evening programs are held at 398 Main Street in Middletown. Enrollment is ongoing with no charge for area residents. Call Middletown Adult Education at 860-343-6044.