Fall River, MA – Mechanics Cooperative Bank is once again proud to support the Boys Scouts of America, Narragansett Council and their ScoutReach Program in Fall River, MA. This $2,500 contribution will directly benefit the Fall River community and surrounding cities and towns. This $2,500 gift from Mechanics Cooperative Bank was supported by the Federal Home Loan Bank(FHLB) and their charitable program to match donation funds from member Banks increasing the total donation to $5,000.
ScoutReach is a Boy Scouts of America program that gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting. ScoutReach is the Boy Scouts of America’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. In most cases, Narragansett Council brings a Cub Scout program to boys in second through fifth grades but also provides a Boy Scout program to older boys as needed. Rather than holding meetings by separate grade levels, in uniform, following a specific plan for advancement toward ranks, ScoutReach is more relaxed with no uniforms, mixed age groups, a less stringent meeting environment, and less emphasis on advancement toward ranks and more emphasis on life skills and interests and fun group activities.
Tim McCandless, Boys Scouts of America, Narragansett Council, Scout Executive, spoke about “the importance of having community partners like Mechanics Cooperative Bank and their President and CEO, Joseph Baptista. Their commitment to our local community, and their dedication to improving the quality of life in our immediate area, represents the true definition of a community bank. With their charitable support, and ongoing efforts to support great local programs like ScoutReach, Mechanics Cooperative Bank has proven to be valued community partner.”
ScoutReach weekly meetings are staffed by paid professional ScoutReach Specialists. Funded in part by the United Way and other organizations like Mechanics Cooperative Bank, all materials are free of charge to the boys as the registration fees are paid for by the Council with meetings are held after school, for approximately one hour, one day each week. This program begins when school opens in the fall and ends when school is out in the summer.
ScoutReach centers around a well-defined program based on values, learning-by-doing, fun, and positive role models. Ethics and values within a group environment; discipline, respect, citizenship, self-image, and ethical decisions; are built in to most activities in a fun and enriching ways. Programs can include guest speakers from the community, various occupations; visits to police and/or fire stations, hospitals, zoos, parks; field trips to local attractions; athletic and cultural events; and at home family activities. Along the way, boys are given rewards in the form of pizza parties, refreshments, certificates, badges/ patches/ ribbons/ buttons, in addition to one-on-one individual attention during activities. The program includes physical fitness activities, health/hygiene study, civic issues, citizenship, family values, laws/rules/regulations, our flag, other cultures and many more subjects that build self-esteem and strong personal values.
ScoutReach in Narragansett Council has been very successful in building informed sound character in young boys who have the opportunity to continue on in the Scouting program and as productive concerned citizens in our local communities.
Andrew Hewitt, CFO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank and Boys Scouts of America, Narragansett Council Board Member commented, “Mechanics Cooperative Bank is proud to support the Boy Scouts and their ScoutReach Program. We are pleased to help them continue their mission to support those in need and improved lives through learning, education and teamwork. Mechanics Cooperative Bank is a proud partner of the Boy Scouts and will continue to be for many years to come.”
For more information, contact the Narragansett Council – Boy Scouts of America at PO Box 14777, 10 Risho Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914; 401.351.8700; info@narragansettbsa.org
With total assets over $540 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank with eight conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit www.Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member SIF. Equal Housing Lender.
Pictured above, Andrew C. Hewitt, CFO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank and Boys Scouts of America, Narragansett Council Board Member, presents a check for $2,500 to Tim McCandless, Boys Scouts of America, Narragansett Council, Scout Executive, in support of their ScoutReach Program in Fall River, MA. This gift was matched by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and their charitable program to match donation funds from member Banks which increased the total gift to $5,000.
