Waltham charities rewarded at 26th Annual Watertown Savings Bank Customer Choice Awards
Nearly three dozen local charities were lauded at Watertown Savings Bank’s 26th annual Customer Choice Awards celebration on Wednesday evening, with each one receiving cash awards from the bank to further their work in the community.
Representatives from all but one organization enjoyed an evening of comradery, refreshments by Maria’s Catering and music by DJ Dan McCarthy before the presentation of awards by Watertown Savings Bank President Brett Dean and Director of Community Relations Kelly Cronin.
Awards ranged in value from $1,500 to $15,000, with winners determined based on votes from local residents. A record 11,381 votes were cast in this year’s contest.
St. James’ Armenian Church Youth Organization of America picked up the top $15,000 prize, with Waltham’s own St. Mary’s After School Program taking second place ($10,000) and The Cat Connection snagging third place ($7,500).
Eleven additional Waltham-based nonprofits were among the winners, including The Waltham Times, which gratefully accepted its first Customer Choice Award, for $1,500 — with hopes to return for next year’s celebration.
Watertown Savings Bank, a 154-year-old, community-focused, independent mutual bank with 10 branches across the region, has awarded more than $1.2 million to numerous local nonprofits over the program’s 26 years.
The bank contributed $100,000 to 33 local nonprofit organizations at this year’s event, which was held at American Legion Post 440 in Newton on April 9. The recipients represent a variety of community organizations including food banks, patient advocacy and support groups, animal shelters, arts and youth programs and independent news entities.
