For Immediate Release
Contact:
Peter Roveto
Brookline Bank
617-730-3500
BOSTON, MA (October 26, 2023) – Brookline Bank recently organized a school backpack distribution program through a collaboration with South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) for children of newly arrived families from Haiti and Venezuela. SMOC is a local human services agency that is coordinating housing and other services for families who have recently arrived from Haiti and Venezuela and are currently living in Metrowest hotels.
100 backpacks, generously supplied by Winbrook, Inc., Brookline Bank’s marketing and fulfillment provider, were stuffed with school supplies and given to children to use in their classrooms. Another 50 backpacks will be given to young adults during the holiday season along with gloves, hats, sweaters, and gift cards.
Brookline Bank’s Ivette Mesmar, AVP and Manager of the bank’s Wellesley Hills office, and Jane Adler, SVP and CRA Officer at Brookline Bank, coordinated the bank’s donation program along with the Massachusetts Lions District 33K, who donated a variety of school supplies including pens, pencils, crayons, and notebooks. Mesmar is also the District Governor of the Lions District 33K. Adler is a board member of SMOC.
“It takes a village, and we all came together to move forward on this important humanitarian effort,” said Mesmar. “Brookline Bank embraced the backpack project, and its support has been vital to our success. The 33K Lions answered the call of service in line with their motto: We Serve. We look forward to continuing our work to provide more backpacks to young adults that will be filled with items they can use this winter.”
Staff and Volunteers from SMOC receive 100 backpacks to distribute to newly arrived children.
Brookline Bank’s Ivette Mesmar – 3rd from right.
“Seeing the backpack project come to fruition is truly wonderful,” said Adler. “The collaboration among all participants working together with Brookline Bank – Winbrook, SMOC, the Massachusetts Lions Club 33K, has been a great experience.”
“We are so grateful for this generous donation that will have such a meaningful impact on the lives of these children and young adults,” SMOC CEO and President Susan Gentili said. “This is the definition of true community spirit when we come together to support our neighbors in need. SMOC is honored to be a part of this multi-agency collaboration, and we look forward to future opportunities to partner with this great team.”
About Brookline Bank
Brookline Bank is a subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRKL), and is headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts. A full-service financial institution, Brookline Bank provides individuals and businesses with deposit and lending services, residential mortgages and home equity lending, commercial and CRE banking, cash management and foreign exchange services, and access to investment and wealth management services. Brookline Bank has convenient locations across Greater Boston and the North Shore. For more information go to brooklinebank.com. Brookline Bank is an Equal Opportunity and Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.
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