Students from the MetroWest Jewish Day School, Shillman House residents and Jessica Hamermesh, Director of the Generations Together Program.

“Thank you for arranging for the children to come here. They make us so happy.” This sentiment, expressed by Edna Rabinowich, was shared by many of her neighbors at Shillman House following a recent intergenerational program.

Shillman House, a community, is collaborating with the MetroWest Jewish Day School (MWJDS) to offer Making Connections by Looking at our Past. The project recently held its kick-off session.  Rachel Stewart, Administrative Director of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, which is providing financial support, attended the meeting and presented a check.

“The foundation supports numerous programs, projects and activities that are designed to provide a solid foundation for today’s youth, our future professional and civic leaders,” said Robert Lamprey, Foundation Chairman.

Shillman House residents and students from MWJDS will meet regularly as part of the school’s unit on immigration. The students will hone their interviewing skills by preparing questions at each session to engage the seniors in interesting discussions to compare the past with the current. The topic for the first gathering was food and favorite recipes.

The students and seniors will continue to meet throughout the school year and hold a special gathering at the culmination of the program.

Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, recently awarded $8,665.86 to the Friends of Callahan to equip the entire Computer Learning Center with the newest technology.

The $8,665.86 award was used to purchase ten brand new Dell Inspiron computers with 23” monitors and two Gateway computers with touch screen monitors.  Now the Center can continue its educational classes in Introduction to PC, Microsoft Word, Digital Photography; and introduce a new class in January entitled Memory and Health which will utilizing the touch screen monitors. 

 “We are very appreciative of the donation for the new computers. It has allowed us to completely modernize our computer lab. Our seniors can now continue to learn and improve their computer skills with the very latest technologies.  We are again thankful that the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation has always recognized our seniors as a vibrant part of our community” said Bob Merusi, Executive Director, Town of Framingham, Park & Recreation.

The Friends of Callahan grant was included in the total of $71,650 awarded in support of the community during the Charitable Foundation’s most recent round of funding. Since it was established in 1998, the Foundation has donated over $2 million to charitable causes as part of its commitment to improve and enhance quality of life for local residents.

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Photo Caption:

From left: Framingham Co-operative Bank President, CEO and Foundation Trustee Mark Haranas; Robert Merusi, Executive Director of the Town of Framingham Parks & Recreation; and Foundation Chairman Robert Lamprey.

The Framingham Police Department has received $10,000 to assist in the establishment of a canine unit within the Department thanks to a grant from the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation.

“We appreciate Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation’s generous support and I believe that the addition of the K-9 Force will vastly improve our ability to quickly locate lost or missing people, assist in the apprehension of fleeing felons, combat illegal narcotics and establish better community relations through outreach activities,” said Chief Steven Carl.

The canine will provide the Patrol and Investigation Divisions of the Framingham Police with enhanced specialized support faster than currently available.

The Framingham Police Department grant was included in the total of $71,650 awarded in support of the community during the Charitable Foundation’s most recent round of funding. Since it was established in 1998, the Foundation has donated over $2 million to charitable causes as part of its commitment to improve and enhance quality of life for local residents.

Photo caption:

From left: Trustees of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation Susan Acton and Paul Galvani; Police Chief Steven Carl; Foundation Chairman Robert Lamprey; Framingham Co-operative Bank President and CEO and Foundation Trustee Mark Haranas; and Foundation Administrative Director Rachel Stewart.

Robert P. Lamprey, chairman of the board of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently announced a $5,000 award to the John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation.  Now in its 14^th year at Framingham High School the Mazie Mentoring Program helps aspiring students reach their full potential in school and beyond.

The $5,000 award will be used to purchase laptop computers for the students. Having the use of personal computers will enable the students to complete their schoolwork more efficiently, without having to rely on the availability of school or local library resources.

During the three years they are in the program, from sophomores through graduation, students are required to set and achieve a series of increasingly challenging goals around community service, their academic achievements, personal fitness, college research, and career choices.

“Our Board sincerely appreciates Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation’s past and current support, which has played a significant role in our ability to rescue at-risk youth in the community,” said Mr. Lowell Mazie, Executive Director.

 The John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation grant was included in the total of $71,650 awarded in support of the community during the Charitable Foundation’s most recent round of funding. Since it was established in 1998, the Foundation has donated over $2 million to charitable causes as part of its commitment to improve and enhance quality of life for local residents.

Photo caption:

Lowell I. Mazie, executive director of the John Andrew Mazie Memorial Program and the current students that received their laptop computers at the Goal Achievement Award Event.

Robert “Bob” Lamprey, chariman of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation,  began his career in community banking over fifty years ago.  Much of his early time was spent at Everett Co-operative Bank where he developed his core beliefs on how local banks could support the families and small businesses within their market.  True, sound business practices and efficient internal procedures were critical to the bank’s long term success.  But just as important was being a caring and pro-active partner with the residents in the towns the bank served.  After all, Bob knew the health and vibrancy of his bank was directly related to the health and well being of the people in the community.

In 1977, Bob came to Framingham Co-operative Bank as the Executive Vice President and was promoted to President in 1988.  He brought to Framingham the same business expertise, but also the same commitment and caring that had marked the early part of his career.  During Bob’s tenure, the local economy has been by rocked by two serious recessions including the current one.  But even through these troubling times, Framingham Co-operative has continued to grow while expanding services and keeping its fees fair & low.

While Bob has remained active in a variety of positions within the United Way of Tri-County over the years, it is the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation which has been his pride and joy.  Established in 1998, through Bob’s efforts and those of the Bank’s board, it has become the centerpiece of his efforts to provide support for the many worthy non-profits in the MetroWest area.

As chairman of the Foundation, Bob has spearheaded efforts to support those most vulnerable members of our community.  Bob’s focus has been on our residents most critical needs including:  food, medical and legal assistance for those in need; child welfare programs in partnership with our schools and faith based organizations; and public safety initiatives through our police and fire departments.   Primarily through his efforts, the Foundation recently surpassed $2,000,000 in total grants awarded to these worthwhile endeavors.  While his success as a community banker is well documented, Bob has commented that, “being able to support the neediest among us, has given me the greatest personal satisfaction.”

The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded $3,084 to the Ashland Education Foundation, Inc. to assist in the goal of upgrading the media labs with new innovative Leaning Carts that will be shared among classrooms.   The Learning Carts create a digital, virtual classroom.  Information is presented in both visual and audio format.  This allows the teachers to reach all students no matter what method of  learning they utilize.

“We thank Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation for these progressive tools that offer innovative solutions to expand both teaching and learning techniques that will help keep our students and teachers proficient with rapidly changing technology,” said AEFI President, Maribeth Morrissey. 

Photo caption:

From left:

3^rd row: Maribeth Morrissey, AFEI President and Leslie Marci, Capital Campaign Manager and students from Mrs. Farquharson’s 7^th grade class.

The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, during National Arts and Humanities month, recently awarded $2,000 to the Framingham Cultural Council to promote programs in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences that contribute to the cultural vitality of the Framingham community.

“This grant will help fund Framingham schools, libraries and cultural arts programs that reach out to old and young. They help to build bridges across all walks of life. On behalf of the Framingham community, we gratefully accept the generous contribution from the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation,” said Co-Chair, Nandi Varris.

Photo Caption: From left
Joel Winett, FCC Clerk, Rachel Stewart, Administrative Director, Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, Mary-Ann Stadtler-Chester, P. Nandi Varris, FCC Chair and Cindy Camuso, FCC Vice-Chair

The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded $2,000 to the First Baptist Church in support of its volunteer “Happy Birthday Baby” project, which provides baby care essentials for low-income mothers and pregnant teens in the greater MetroWest.

“This is an on-going mission because there are babies born to low-income families every day.   Our many volunteers have done a marvelous job creating these beautiful baskets.  We thank the volunteers and the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation for making this possible.” said Program Coordinator Lorna J. Mailhoit.

The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded $10,000 to the Framingham Downtown Renaissance to support the implementation of the four-point Main Street® approach for revitalization of the Downtown Framingham area by enhancing its physical appearance through rehabilitation, new construction and public improvements.

“Framingham Downtown Renaissance applauds Framingham Co-operative Bank’s continuing support for FDR and its efforts to revitalize the downtown area.  This lead gift to the Framingham Downtown Renaissance campaign is a demonstration of the pride that community-minded businesses, like Framingham Co-operative Bank  have in the developing success of downtown Framingham,” said FDR President Dr. Dale Hamel. 

Photo caption:

From left: Ted Welte, FDR Director, Marlene Aron, Senior Associate Broker, MetroWest Commercial Real Estate, Mark Haranas, President/CEO Framingham Co-operative Bank, Michael Semizoglou, Vice President Framingham Co-operative Bank, FDR Treasurer, Rachel Stewart, Administrative Director Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation, FDR Promotion Committee member and  Dr. Dale Hamel, Vice President, Framingham State University/ FDR President.

The FCB Charitable Foundation recently awarded $2,500 to the Bethany Hill School to assist in funding the Computer Learning Program for the 99 at-risked residents.  Their educational programs include Adult educational & career counseling, Computer instruction, Parenting, Life Enrichment and Advancement Program and Youth Programs.

 “The Bethany Hill School community takes strength from your generosity and commitment to our learners.  Through the Charitable Foundation’s support, our residents will have access to technology and training critical in helping to build a stronger future for themselves and for their children.” said Executive Director Trish Appert.

Denise Kelly, Program Director/Mission Effectiveness Coordinator, Trish Appert, Executive Director and Rachel Stewart, Administrative Director Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation