SAULT STE. MARIE - David E. Firack, President and CEO of Old Mission Bank, presented the bank's 2005 Hometown Community Pride Awards to three local entities who exemplify the spirit of Old Mission Bank in their contribution to their respective communities. This year's recipients were Lake Superior State University, Pickford Community Wellspring, and Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association, representing the areas of education, community enrichment and tourism.
"Our area is significantly impacted by Lake Superior State University. LSSU's programs have provided the educational foundation for the growth and development of our economic base by educating many of our community leaders, myself included," stated Firack in a press release from Old Mission Bank.
Dr. Betty Youngblood, LSSU president, received a $5,000 grant to the LSSU Enrollment Initiative. It represents the third installment of a $15,000, three-year Old Mission Bank commitment.
"This grant will greatly assist LSSU's efforts in recruiting students and furthering our role of educating tomorrow's leaders," stated Youngblood in the press release.
"Community enrichment through citizen involvement is the glue that makes a town a community," stated Firack as he delivered the bank's $1,500 award.
In 2004, a group of Pickford citizens formed the Pickford Community Wellspring as an affiliate of the Chippewa County Community Foundation.
"With this gift, Wellspring endowed funds of over $9,600 are available to assist in our program development. In November, area citizens were treated to a nationally syndicated musical group. It was the first of many enrichment activities to be made available through our community organization," commented Sarah Morrison, Wellspring secretary, in the press release.
"The Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association in cooperation with the Les Cheneaux Sportsman Club provides snowmobile trail grooming as an impetus to growing our area's winter tourism," commented Firack. "Old Mission's gift of $500 will significantly assist our efforts to fund the trail grooming operations in support of the volunteers who daily man the groomer," stated Ray Schebel, president of the Les Cheneaux Islands Area Tourist Association, in the press release.
In 2005, Old Mission Bank provided over $19,500 in Hometown Community Pride funds, to include $5,000 as a Platinum sponsor of the newly formed Boys & Girls Club and $5,000 to the River Rampage Champ Boat Race. According to the press release, Old Mission Bank is the $75 million asset operating entity of Old Mission Bancorp, Inc., an independently owned and operated one bank holding company. Old Mission Bank serves the Eastern Upper Peninsula counties of Chippewa, Mackinac and Luce through its main office in Sault Ste. Marie and a branch in Pickford. This marks the seventh year since Old Mission Bank opened for business on Feb. 7, 2000.
