Tompkins VIST Bank donates $5,000 to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Funds support outdoor education

Visiting school groups at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will continue to enjoy guided field trips, thanks in part to support from Tompkins VIST Bank, which recently awarded $5,000 in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funding to the Sanctuary. The gift helps to support educational programming at Hawk Mountain for public school groups.

“Hawk Mountain is thrilled to have Tompkins VIST Bank as a corporate partner and friend,” says Director of Development Mary Linkevich. “It’s great to know this community banking organization supports both the outdoors and public education,” she adds.

Tompkins VIST Bank is dedicated to enhancing the vitality of our community through the support of more than 200 local economic, arts, education, and health-related organizations. Above that, Tompkins VIST employees contribute countless hours of community service and fundraising activities for local nonprofits.

Recognized as the first refuge for birds of prey, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s oldest and largest, member-support raptor conservation organization. Its scenic overlooks, mountaintop trails and Visitor Center are open to the public yearround, and Hawk Mountain is well-known as a prime observation point to watch than annual migration of hawks, eagles and falcons. Trail fees, membership dues, gifts and grants support the Sanctuary’s global raptor conservation mission, which includes scientific research, professional training, and conservation education programs.

For more information on Hawk Mountain, visit www. hawkmountain.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Wayne Lutsey, left, and Beth Heckart, right, of Tompkins VIST Bank, present to Senior Educator Rachel Spagnola a check for $5000 through the Pennsylvania EITC Program.