The staff and administration of the Kinderhook Bank have teamed to donate to the Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Hudson.
The mission of the Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center is to reduce trauma, provide expert medical care, and enhance collaboration among organizations in the investigation,
prosecution, and treatment of child abuse. The Child Advocacy Center
provides a child-friendly setting where they investigate serious child abuse allegations, conduct forensic interviews, and provide therapy and victim assistance services - always keeping the best interest of the child in mind. The team helps the children move beyond the role of victims and lead healthy, happy lives.
According to Kinderhook Bank Marketing Director Dori McDannold, every quarter the bank looks for specific fundraising opportunities in the community. Then on certain Fridays, employees have what is know as Jeans Day, a more casual dress day. In exchange, the employees donate monies for a not-for-profit organization with a need. Bank branch manager Donna Leiser had attended an informative luncheon about the CAC and thought it would be a worthwhile organization for the bank staff donations.
The employees' donations were matched by the bank administration.
"Donations such as this will help us with our goal to rid this community of child abuse and to help those who have suffered so they can return to happier lives," said Betsy Gramkow, Executive Director of the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation.
Photo:
Left to right: Denise Saunders, Case
Coordinator of the Stephen and Suzanne Menkes Child Advocacy Center; Donna Leiser, Branch Manager, the Kinderhook Bank; Dori McDannold, Marketing Director of Kinderhook Bank, Penny Calyer, Child Advocate at the Advocacy Center; and Betsy Gramkow, Executive Director of the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation.
