Mutual One Bank Content

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, has announced a Foundation grant of $9,735 to the Framingham Fire Department to help purchase public-access mass casualty kits to be made available in local schools for public use in emergency situations.

According to Chief of Department Joseph C. Hicks, the emergency medical kits will be strategically mounted throughout the public schools for immediate access, much like defibrillators. The kits will be available for immediate use by “civilians” before first responders arrive, Hicks said, and the Department has a goal to continue to place additional kits in the community. The department’s emergency medical services division will conduct a free training program in use of the materials as soon as they become available, he added.

“MutualOne is pleased to help the Fire Department put this new safety program into action,” said Haranas. “Having emergency medical kits available for instant access could potentially save lives in a matter of minutes, while help is on the way. We feel it is a wise investment to make for the safety of our students and the entire school population.”

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, announced today that the Foundation has awarded $9,500 to SPARK Kindness as premier sponsor of the 2018-2019 “Resilient Parent, Resilient Child” speaker series. This will be the Foundation’s fourth consecutive year as a sponsor of the program.

The free series empowers and assists community members through programming that supports their social and emotional needs and fosters resilience and connections. Although located in Natick, the annual speaker series has served more than 10,000 participants from many MetroWest communities over the past 4 years.

“There’s no question that the ‘Resilient Parent, Resilient Child’ speaker series lives up to the SPARK Kindness mission,” said Haranas, “and we are proud to be a part of that goal.”

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, announced today that the Foundation has awarded $5,000 to support Framingham’s second Gun Buy Back initiative. The event, scheduled for April 28, is a combined effort of the Framingham Police Department, the office of Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer, the Framingham City Council, and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department.

During the first Gun Buy Back event, held in 2016, nearly 180 unwanted firearms were traded in, anonymously, for gift cards.

“In the interest of public safety, and as a dedicated community partner, we are pleased to support the Gun Buy Back program with this grant,” said Haranas.

Local low-income seniors will benefit from a recent $2,500 grant from the MutualOne Charitable Foundation to the Springwell MetroWest Protective Services Prevention and Intervention Project.

According to Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a Foundation trustee, the grant will help eliminate or alleviate the abuse or neglect of vulnerable MetroWest seniors.

The funds will help Springwell meet critical unmet needs for abused and neglected seniors, helping them age in health and maintain independence and a connection to their community.

“This program is designed to provide our at-risk elders with the services they need in any number of threatening situations,” said Sousa. “It can make a definite difference in many lives, and we are pleased to help make that goal a reality for our seniors.”

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee, announced that the Foundation has awarded $6,000 to St. Bridget’s Food Pantry in Framingham.

Now in its 26th year, St. Bridget’s Food Pantry provides food assistance to Framingham residents who, through socioeconomic or health factors, are unable to meet their need for food. The Pantry helps about 150 households a week and additional families and individuals at holiday times. Clients receive pre-packaged non-perishable foods and additional choice meat, dairy, and produce items, depending on inventory.

The Foundation grant will help provide nutritious choices and holiday foods to those in need throughout the year.

“We’re pleased to support the St. Bridget’s Food Pantry’s mission of providing for residents of our community who are facing challenges in their lives,” said Haranas. “We want to help make sure that no one walks away empty-handed.”

“The MutualOne Charitable Foundation has been a wonderful supporter of our food pantry,” said St. Bridget’s Food Pantry Director Mary Kulas. “We are thankful for their continued generosity in helping us with our mission.”

Robert P. Lamprey, chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation, announced that the Foundation has awarded $5,000 to Friends of Natick Senior Center to fund future “Life Enrichment” programs for seniors.

Previous “Life Enrichment” events have included free Lunch/Movie Extravaganza outings. Future events may be expanded to feature cultural offerings and/or activities and entertainment suggested by senior center members.

“We are pleased to support the Friends’ efforts to expand ‘Life Enrichment’ activities available to our community’s senior citizens,” said Haranas. “Seniors are vibrant members of our community, and it is an honor to help them enjoy life to the fullest.”