ACB: Press Releases

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected]	For Immediate Release October 31, 2000 #00-124
E-mail: [email protected]

COMMUNITY BANKERS’ FOUNDATION PRESENTS $75,000 GIFT TO SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOME

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SEATTLE — The ACB Housing Partners Foundation presented Seattle Children’s Home with a check for $75,000 today at the conclusion of its 10th annual fund drive for charity. The Foundation is the spouses’ philanthropic arm of America’s Community Bankers, the national trade association representing community banks, including 19 in Washington state.

Foundation Co-Chair Barb Fitzgerald presented the check to David Cousineau, president of Seattle Children’s Home, at a benefit concert featuring Marilyn McCoo of the Fifth Dimension Tuesday night at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center during America’s Community Bankers Annual Convention here.

“We are deeply appreciative of America’s Community Bankers and the ACB Housing Partners Foundation’s investment in our local community, specifically our young adults at Cedar and M.J. Harder houses,” Cousineau said. “What is truly unique and very special about America’s Community Bankers is that the middle word in their name — community — really resonates in who they are and what they do.”

Fitzgerald said, “We are delighted to help an organization that has done so much to assist troubled children and young adults in Seattle. Our industry and our Foundation are committed to serving communities and one way we demonstrate that is by raising funds for a local charity in each city that hosts our annual meeting.” Ms. Fitzgerald is the wife of ACB Immediate Past Chairman William A. Fitzgerald, who is also chairman and CEO, Commercial Federal Bank, FSB, Omaha, Neb.

Also addressing the visiting bankers and their spouses Tuesday night was Bright Friday, a recent graduate of the M.J. Harder house. Friday moved to M.J. Harder house from a short-term homeless shelter, gained the life and job skills he needed and successfully transitioned back to mainstream society.

He works for the Sheraton Hotel, one of ACB’s convention hotels.

Seattle Children’s Home, founded in 1884, is a comprehensive health facility offering a wide variety of services for children and youth in crisis.

Funds raised by the ACB Housing Partners Foundation will go to two transitional group homes operated by the children’s home, Cedar House and the M.J. Harder House, both serving troubled young adults.

The ACB Housing Partners Foundation was started in 1991 by a group of spouses who wanted to become more active in carrying out the traditions and values of community banking. Each year, the Foundation selects a charity in the city in which America’s Community Bankers holds its annual convention and conducts a major fund drive for it. The money comes from donations by member banks and industry organizations, proceeds from a silent auction and ticket sales to a benefit concert.

Including Seattle Children’s Home, the Foundation has donated nearly $800,000 to charities. The gifts have benefited hundreds of battered women, at-risk children and homeless families in Washington, D.C., San Diego, New Orleans, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando and Seattle.

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

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