The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Good Neighbors help Wanderers’ Rest
CANASTOTA, N.Y. >> As part of Good Neighbor Day, the Oneida Community Bank purchased paint supplies and volunteered at the Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association.
Community Bank branches across the nation participated in Good Neighbor Day in their own way, from the Chittenango branch participating in a food drive to the school supply drive in Canastota. But when coming up with their own project, the Oneida Community Bank decided to do something close to their hearts.
“We started talking in our team and we’re all animal lovers, so we got in touch,” Branch Manager Wendy Matters said.
Matters got in touch with Shelter Manager Sabrina Wilcox, who told her that some of the things needed done were taking care of animals and doing laundry.
“I asked if there was any bigger projects we could work on as a team, she suggested the painting,” Matters said. “When we realized they were looking for donations for the paint and the time and effort,
we donated funds from the bank.”
“I’m here to help out the community and be a good neighbor,” Senior Teller Shelby Ackerman said. “Community Bank donated $500 for the paint and painting supplies.”
Ackerman said the animals at Wanders’ Rest deserve a good home and felt the building would look nice with a new coat of paint.
“When people come up and they see the shelter, it looks sad in my opinion. There are different shades of brown,” Foster Coordinator Mason Groesbeck said. “We’re doing a reddish color and we’re hoping it will liven up the environment. It’ll look a lot nicer and I’m excited to see the difference. It’s been this way for the last four years I’ve been here.”
Volunteers from Community Bank got right to work and were happy to help, whether scraping off the old paint or applying the new coat.