Seaway Bank Brightens Holiday For Needy Families

Supporting the annual Seaway Bank and Trust Trim-a-Tree program for needy families are Customer Service Supervisor Melda Barker, President & CEO Walter E. Grady and VP Marketing Officer Claudette Harris.
Supporting the annual Seaway Bank and Trust Trim-a-Tree program for needy families are Customer Service Supervisor Melda Barker, President & CEO Walter E. Grady and VP Marketing Officer Claudette Harris.

CHICAGO - For most people the holiday season is a time for celebration. But for many others who may be struggling to keep the heat on buying gifts is simply impossible. With community assistance groups also hurting in tough economic times, Seaway Bank and Trust Company has stepped up its Trim-a-Tree program to help families in need.

The Seaway Trim-a-Tree program will provide holiday gifts of food, toys and clothing for 19 local families, an increase over previous years. Since 1990, toy and coat collection boxes are placed annually at each branch and visitors who make cash contribution are invited to place an ornament on the banks lobby tree. Donors are identified on the ornament and the funds raised are used to purchase food and gifts. Local churches and staff often help to refer the families in need. The bank works closely with the families to clarify clothing sizes and identify any special requests.

Seaway employees were the first to make donations, but bank customers and visitors have stepped up to help. These activities provide a way to share with those less fortunate. We know some families struggle to make ends meet during the holidays, and our Trim-a-Tree helps to fill that gap, said Walter E. Grady, Seaway Bank President and CEO. Each year Seaway receives a lot of support for this outreach. When the gifts are delivered, we all feel the spirit of the seasonand thats what its all about, Grady added.

Seaway Bank has nine branches in the Chicago area including a Maywood location.

Latest Stories






Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.