Essex Savings Bank announces 2019 ballot initiative

ESSEX — Essex Savings Bank recently announced the 72 organizations that will participate in the 2019 Community Investment Program ballot. Organizations eligible for the ballot initiative are limited to the immediate market area consisting of Chester, Deep River, Essex, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. Applications for Essex Savings Bank’s ballot initiative are available mid-October to mid-November. Ballots will be available at all Essex Savings Bank offices February 1st through the 28th to determine the allocation of funds. Customers are also able to vote by logging onto their Essex Savings Bank online account.

Since 1996, the bank has annually committed up to 10 percent of after tax net income to qualifying organizations. In 2019 total funding will surpass $4.5 million with $132,000 allotted for this year. Customers allocate 30 percent of funds each year by voting for three of their favorite participating causes, charities or organizations. 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. The Bank’s Community Investment Program includes other opportunities for funding to the surrounding region; visit essexsavings.com to learn more.

Organizations (72) qualifying to appear on the 2019 ballot include:

Act II Thrift Shop, Inc., A Little Compassion Inc. / The Nest Coffee House, Angel Charities, Inc., Bikes for Kids, Inc., Brazilian and American Youth Cultural Exchange, Camp Hazen YMCA, Cappella