Recent grants from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation to organizations in Willimantic and Norwich will help provide for the well-being of local individuals and families in need, according to a statement by Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank.

The Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to United Community and Family Services, Inc. of Norwich, to help offset the costs of primary care, dental, in-school dental, and outpatient behavioral health services for clients residing in Jewett City who are unable to pay for services. An $800 grant to Community Prevention and Addiction Services, Inc. in Willimantic will allow that agency to provide a “Pattern Breaking” workshop for adults of a Danielson family shelter. The session is designed to address dysfunctional behavior patterns in families.

“As a community bank, we feel it is important to support initiatives designed to improve the lives of those around us,” said Merchant. “Our community is strengthened when others reach out to help.”

The awards were announced recently in Griswold, where representatives from 18 local non-profit civic and charitable organizations were present to receive a combined total of $25,350 in grants from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation during the most recent funding period.

The Foundation, established in 2003 to reinforce, encourage, and support the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the well being of the communities it serves, has awarded over $225,000 since its founding. Click here for more information about the Foundation.

Here are some great tips from the ABA Education Foundation on how to be a savvy holiday shopper:

Create a Budget
Before you start your holiday shopping, develop a realistic budget. Be as detailed as possible. Look at past banking and credit card statements as well as receipts from last year to gauge your holiday spending.

Be a Scrooge
The fewer lines of credit you have, the easier it is to keep track of bills and pay off debt on time. Use caution when you consider applying for additional cards.

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Holiday
Beware of fraudsters or suspicious offers to buy products. Do not enter your credit card number unless you are certain the Web site is trustworthy. Keep receipts and billing statements to check for unauthorized charges. Shred documents that contain personal information.

Do You Hear What I Hear?
Understand the terms of your credit card. Credit cards are great financial tools when used with care. Use ABA's "Guide to Credit Cards" to understand the specifics of credit card use.

Fight the Temptation
Holiday shopping can be overwhelming and sale items can make it difficult to say no. Resist impulse shopping and stick to your budget.

For additional holiday spending tips visit the Smart Holiday Spending Center from the ABA Education Foundation.

The ABA Education Foundation provides financial education programs and resources that help bankers make their communities better. Nearly 90,000 bankers have taught basic finance skills to about 4 million young people through participation in the Foundation’s signature programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About Credit. Founded by bankers in 1925, the foundation is guided by a board of bankers and is an affiliate of the American Bankers Association.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation recently awarded a total of $5,000 to five area fire and ambulance companies, according to Foundation president Kevin C. Merchant.

“These grants will enhance the efforts of our fire companies and first responders in providing for the safety of local residents and property,” said Merchant. “As a true community bank, we are pleased to be able to contribute in this way to the well-being of those in the communities we serve.”

Each of the five organizations has specific plans for the money: 

• Atwood Hose Fire Company in Wauregan will use its $1,000 from the Foundation to purchase a new gas detector, replacing the current device for which sensors and parts are no longer available.

• East Brooklyn Fire Department in Brooklyn will purchase emergency vacuum splints and related gear for better patient immobilization, and better mobility for rescue personnel, with its $1,000 Foundation grant.

• K.B. Ambulance Corps, Inc. of Danielson will apply its $1,000 from the Foundation toward the purchase of a Zoll Auto Pulse System, a device that provides uninterrupted CPR for patients in sudden cardiac arrest.

• Oneco Fire Company in Oneco will use its $1,000 grant to purchase safety and rescue gear, including high-visibility vests and a junkin stokes basket, and to make modifications to fire apparel for safety harnesses.

• Plainfield Fire Company No. 1, Inc. in Plainfield will apply its $1,000 to the purchase of additional hand-held rescue and fire suppression tools, as well as fire prevention educational materials to provide to youngsters during Fire Prevention Week.

The fire and ambulance companies were among 18 area non-profit organizations who received a combined total of $25,350 in grants from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation this fall.

The Foundation, established in 2003 to reinforce, encourage, and support the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the well being of the communities it serves, has awarded over $225,000 since its founding. More information about the Foundation is available at www.jcsbank.com and at all offices of Jewett City Savings Bank.

Jewett City Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank operating full-service offices in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Dayville, Central Village and Preston. Established in 1873, the Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Each year, Jewett City Savings Bank sponsors and helps organize the annual Jewett City & Griswold Snowflake Festival and Parade. This year's event was a smashing success, including a decorating contest for children, a parade with floats created by local organizations, and visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation has awarded over $10,000 to help stock food pantry shelves in Danielson, Jewett City and Preston.

The St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Jewett City will use a $5,000 grant from the Foundation to meet the increased need of families in Jewett City, Griswold, Voluntown and Canterbury.

The Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson received $4,000 from the Foundation for the purchase of a cooler to store dairy and produce prior to distribution.

And the Preston City Congregational Church received a $1,200 grant to stock the shelves of their new Food Pantry.

The food pantry awards were announced recently at a morning reception held in Griswold, where representatives from 18 local non-profit civic and charitable organizations were present to receive a combined total of $25,350 in grants from the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation was established in 2003 to reinforce, encourage, and support the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the well being of the communities it serves.

According to Foundation President Kevin C. Merchant, this year’s grant awards bring the total amount of funds distributed by the Foundation since its founding to over $225,000. Click here for more information about the Foundation.

If you are on Facebook, you know how easy it is to connect with friends and family. Now you can also connect with your Hometown Bank through our Facebook Page!

Through our Page we'll be sharing Charitable Foundation updates, favorite links, photos, Bank news and much more. We'll also be using the Page to notify our Fans of upcoming specials and to announce new products & services.

Becoming a Fan is easy! Just click on "Become a Fan" below, or visit our Page.

Become a Fan as of December 20, 2009 and you will be automatically entered into our drawing to win an Apple iPod Touch! Important information: Winner to be selected at random and contacted through Facebook. No purchase necessary. Employees of Jewett City Savings Bank are not eligible to win.

As you may know, here in Connecticut the way we dial our phones is changing.

That’s because as of November 14, 2009, all local calls that are currently dialed with 7 digits will need to be dialed using the area code. (For example, if you normally dial 376-4444 to reach the Bank, you will now need to dial 860-376-4444).

For more information about the area code change, please visit the Department of Public Utility Control’s web site.

(Please note, the link provided is to a web site created, operated and maintained by a private business or organization. Jewett City Savings Bank provides this link as a service to our web site visitors. We are not responsible for the content, views, or privacy policies of this site. We take no responsibility for any products or services offered by this site, nor do we endorse or sponsor the information it contains).

Jewett City Savings Bank is among strongest in nation

Jewett City Savings Bank was among the top favorites selected in the Commercial Record’s “Best of” 2009 readership poll. The Bank placed second in the Community Bank category, earning a Silver Award when the votes were tallied.

“We were honored to be nominated, and to be ranked so favorably by the publication’s audience,” said Kevin C. Merchant, president and CEO. “ Our everyday goal is to be the hometown bank customers turn to and rely on. It is gratifying when our efforts are rewarded in ways such as this.”

The Commercial Record is a publication for senior executives in the real estate, banking, and mortgage industries in Connecticut.

5-Star Superior Bank
In addition, for the 69th consecutive quarter, Jewett City Savings Bank has received the 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc., a national bank rating firm.

The 5-Star rating is the highest attainable from BauerFinancial, and is based on the overall financial condition of the Bank. It denotes that Jewett City Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.

“Only seven percent of the nation’s banks have earned the 5-Star Superior rating for as many consecutive quarters as we have,” said Merchant. “That fact alone sets us apart as a model community bank.”

“With these two awards, our customers have every reason to be proud of their Bank,” Merchant added.