Building Stronger Communities — Together

On behalf of the Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation and Ascend Bank, we are proud to support our Eastern Connecticut communities today, and going forward.

Across Eastern Connecticut, neighbors look out for one another — and local nonprofits are the heart of that care. On behalf of the Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation, Ascend Bank was proud to celebrate this year’s grant recipients: organizations that lift lives, strengthen communities, and bring hope to those who need it most.

Reflections from Kyle Eagleson, President & CEO of Ascend Bank

“Community giving isn’t an afterthought for us — it’s central to who we are. This isn’t the end of our support; it’s an ongoing partnership. We’ll continue to listen, to show up, and to invest — steadily, responsibly, and with purpose.” Kyle’s words reflect the enduring philosophy behind the Easter Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation’s and Ascend Bank’s community focus: when our neighbors thrive, we all rise together.

Honoring Our Donation Recipients from Griswold, CT & Area Communities

This year’s Foundation grants recognized outstanding local organizations including:

• Mary Food Pantry – Plays a vital role in supporting families facing food insecurity. Week after week, they provide nourishment and dignity to families in need.
• Griswold Senior Center Emergency Fuel Service – This program ensures that older adults in our community are safe and warm during the coldest months of the year – keeping seniors safe and warm through the winter.
• Veterans Coffee House – Offers veterans a place to connect, heal, and find support.  It is more than a meeting place — it is a community of support, healing, and shared strength.
• Slater Library – A cornerstone of learning, literacy, and connection. It is a space for children to discover stories for the first time, for adults continuing to grow, and for neighbors connecting with one another.
• Griswold Community Playground – This playground represents joy, imagination, and neighborhood togetherness. It is a place where children will play, families will gather, and new memories will be made for years to come.
• Griswold High School – Through its scholarship program, Griswold High School is shaping the next generation of leaders — young people who will go on to strengthen our communities, our workforce, and our shared future. Whether through academics, athletics, arts, or technical training, the school prepares students to grow, achieve, and lead.
• United Community & Family Services (UCFS) – UCFS ensures that individuals and families have access to medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services — regardless of ability to pay. Their compassion and commitment to wellness strengthen the health of our entire region.
• Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) – TVCCA supports families throughout every stage of life — from early childhood education to housing and energy assistance, to senior nutrition and care. Their work reinforces stability, opportunity, and dignity for thousands across our region.

Each represents care in action — ensuring Eastern Connecticut remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. As Lisa Griffin, Executive Vice President – Eastern Market President said, “The work of these local nonprofits reminds us of what community truly means — people helping people. Each organization we support is meeting a real need with compassion and creativity. Together, we’re investing in a stronger, more connected future for Eastern Connecticut.”

Shalonta Ford, SVP, Director of Community Engagement, helps guide Ascend Bank’s outreach, volunteerism, and diversity initiatives — ensuring that the Bank’s community investment touches lives across generations and needs across the state, helping all of our Connecticut neighbors. In her words, “Community engagement is more than an initiative — it’s a responsibility. Every partnership, every volunteer hour, and every grant we award reflects our belief that when we invest in people, we create ripple effects of opportunity and belonging.”

“At the Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation, we believe banking is about more than transactions — it’s about relationships. The grants we award aren’t just checks; they’re a vote of confidence in the leaders and organizations who make this region better every day.” ~ Charles Seeman, Foundation Chair. Under Mr. Seeman’s leadership, the Foundation’s mission has focused on strengthening local nonprofits, supporting essential services, and fostering collaboration between businesses, municipalities, and community partners.

A Legacy of Local Giving

Since its founding, the Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation has provided essential funding to nonprofits across the region — advancing causes like food security, senior care, education, housing, and community enrichment.

Together with Ascend Bank, a community bank that has been giving back to the communities it serves since 1875, the Foundation has delivered a proud tradition of community partnership built on trust, compassion, and long-term investment. As the foundation winds down, that tradition is one that Ascend Bank will proudly and respectfully carry on.