Bank Contest for Cheshire Nonprofits

Cheshire nonprofit groups could win money for their outreach programs if customers of vote for them during the bank's third annual Community Awards Program.

The bank will give away a total of $50,000 to area nonprofits that must use the award money within their community. Voting began this week and ends March 31. 

Last year, the bank awarded funds to two Cheshire groups:

Thresholds, Inc., $500

Cheshire Dog Park, $1,325

Organizations which receive at least 1 percent of total votes will be awarded a proportional share of the $50,000 with a maximum award of $5,000 per organization, the bank said in a statement.

Bank customers may cast their vote online at naugatucksavingsbank.com or in any of the bank’s 15 branches including the location at 218 Maple Ave. in Cheshire.

“As a leading corporate citizen, we believe we have a responsibility to help the communities we live in by assisting nonprofit organizations meet their funding needs," Mark C. Yanarella, chairman and CEO of Naugatuck Savings Bank, said in the statement. “We value the opinions of our customers so our Foundation wants them to help us determine what local organizations are most deserving of grant money.”