Bank helps give 'A Million Thanks' to U.S. troops
By Jennifer Chumsae Contributing Writer

Linda Tumeinski, of the Human Resources Department of Westborough Bank, stands near a drop-off box for letters to U.S. troops. JENNIFER CHUMSAE

Westborough - Westborough Bank (a division of Avidia Bank) is participating in the "A Million Thanks" program during the month of October. Through Wednesday Oct. 31, the bank will collect letters and cards from the community to send to active U.S. military troops. The objective is to get the messages delivered to the troops during the holiday season.

"A Million Thanks" was developed by high school freshman Shauna Fleming, who took on a project to get her high school to send 1 million letters to active members of the military. The idea spread and in May 2007 General Motors asked Fleming to help create a commercial to promote the campaign. After the commercials aired, General Motors collected more than 1 million letters. Fleming has since graduated from high school and still actively promotes the campaign throughout the United States. As a result of this project, more than 4 million letters have been collected so far and sent to U.S. troops to show the public's appreciation.

Linda Tumeinski, a human resources member of the Westborough Bank, is participating in getting the word out and collecting letters for this campaign. This idea came to the bank after seeing the cause documented on one of the General Motors commercials.

"It's a way for the community bank to reach out to community," Tumeinski said.

Four years ago, the bank's Human Resource Committee wanted a way to help the local community and others by giving back. The bank has been involved with several contribution programs, including Abby's House, Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton and Toys for Tots. Tumeinski said that over the years the bank has also donated to customers raising money for causes such as a cure for cancer.

The bank is able to make these donations because they have activities like "dress down day," in which each bank employee who participates is charged a fee with all proceeds going toward the cause of the month. The bank has also encouraged customers to participate and donate to the diff erent causes.

"[The letters to the troops is] an opportunity for the community to participate and help Shauna's cause to expand and to recognize the troops," Tumeinski said. "It's about reaching out beyond our [the bank's] immediate walls."

All five Westborough Bank offices will participate in receiving and forwarding the letters to the troops. There will be drop-off boxes at each location until Oct. 31.

To participate, visit one of the five bank locations and drop off your card or letter. All sizes will be accepted and each letter will be given to an active member of the U.S. military. For additional information about this campaign, visit www.amillionthanks. org.