Welcome New Corporators

Posted on April 9, 2013 by John Trentacosta

Last week at the Bank’s Annual Meeting, we welcomed four new Corporators to Newtown Savings Bank.  Corporators have a long tradition at mutual savings banks.  There are many important roles for our Coporators but there are two that really standout.

  • First, they are responsible to nominate and elect the Board of Trustees who guide the Bank.
  • Second, by associating with the Bank as a Corporator, they are lending their name and their reputation to the Bank as an affirmation of the role Newtown Savings Bank plays in our Communities.

I’m very excited that each of the four new Corporators have joined us.  Just as they are supporting us, Newtown Savings Bank supports our Corporators and their businesses.

Corporators elected at 2013 Annual Meeting

Chairman (Left) and CEO (Right) with the four new Corporators

Pictured above,

  • John Martocci, Chairman, Newtown Savings Bank
  • Joseph D. Skrzypczak, President & CEO, Oce North America
  • Robert G. Tait, Director, Finance, Town of Newtown
  • Elana Bertram, Principal & Attorney, Hawley Legal Resources, LLC
  • Patrick Caruso, Owner, Associated Refuse
  • That’s me on the right.

John

NASCAR’s Local Connection

Posted on February 15, 2013 by John F. Trentacosta

Last week I had the honor of attending a meeting with some folks from NASCAR.  They came to Newtown to give a group of us a sneak preview of the new Sandy Hook tribute race car.  The car, driven by Mike Waltrip, is painted green & white to honor Sandy Hook School and features a large decal on both sides of the car inviting NASCAR fans to make a $10 donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund by texting NEWTOWN to 80888.    The tribute to Sandy Hook was made possible by the combined generosity of Mike Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, Swan Racing, which owns the car, and NASCAR.  In addition, NASCAR CEO Brian France announced that he and his wife are making a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund which the NASCAR Foundation will match.

Interestingly, this all came about from a conversation between NASCAR President Mike Helton, and Daytona Beach businessman Hans Reelick, who is originally from the Newtown area, and owns Hollandia Nursery in Bethel with his son, Eugene.  As a community banker, this story warms my heart on so many levels, and I thank everyone at NASCAR for visiting Newtown last week and brightening our day.

I hope everyone reading this will be rooting for Car #26 to win the Daytona 500 on February 24th, I know I will.

Pictured L-R: Newtown Savings Bank President & CEO John F. Trentacosta, NASCAR Driver Mike Waltrip & United Way of Western CT President & CEO Kim Morgan.

 

 

Thank You

Posted on January 5, 2013 by John F. Trentacosta

This has been a difficult time for those connected in any way to Sandy Hook and Newtown. Our Bank is actively providing support in our role as depository for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.  We have been receiving thousands of letters, phone calls and contributions from all over the world. The outpouring of love and care is a true testament to human kindness. The volume of mail over the past several weeks has been so great that we reassigned many of our employees to attend to this.  Last weekend, our Trustees, and their spouses, provided generous assistance opening mail and sorting checks in our Community Room.  I am so thankful we have a caring Board, the task was not easy and the emotions ran high.

I would like to thank all of my employees, Board, and spouses for getting us through this difficult and busy time. Also, I have great admiration for my fellow bankers throughout Connecticut. They and their employees have been extremely generous.  Most of all I would like to thank the thousands of people who have made generous contributions to the fund. In spite of the madness surrounding us it is wonderful to know we have a caring world.

Sandy Hook Fund – Update

Posted on December 22, 2012 by John Trentacosta

Today, I’m posting answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions.

Q – How can I make a donation to the Sandy Hook Support Fund?  Check donations may be mailed to:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund,
c/o Newtown Savings Bank,
39 Main Street, Newtown CT  06470
Or may be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location http://www.nsbonline.com/about-us/locations.aspx

Credit Card and Debit Card donations can be made at https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/.

Q – Will the donations made to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund go to the families of the victims?  The proceeds will be used to help the Newtown/Sandy Hook community in their efforts to deal with this tragedy.  There will be no United Way management fees attached to any donations to this Fund.

Q – Will my donation be tax deductible?  United Way of Western Connecticut, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is serving as the fiduciary for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. All donations to this fund are tax deductible to fullest extent of the law.  The United Way plans to send a receipt to donors.

 Q – I want to make a donation on behalf of someone as a gift.  We are not able to receive a donation in someone else’s name, but we do have a gift card available at all branches that you can fill out and forward to the person that you are donating in honor of.  Please note, we are not able to mail these or complete these on your behalf, and they are not receipts.

Q- I want to designate my donation to benefit a certain family or purpose.  We are only accepting undesignated donations to this fund.

Q – I need to register my charitable donation to your nonprofit org for my company’s matching gifts program.  Refer or forward to:  Lisa Alexander – United Way of Western Connecticut, 85 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810 Tel: 203-792-5330 x234 lisa.alexander@uwwesternct.org.

One final thought: Many people have asked about conducting a private fund raiser to benefit the Sandy Hook School Support Fund and other funds.  I admire their efforts and I caution people to be careful.  Many people (both fund raisers and donors) are not aware of the potential tax consequences or legalities that are associated with their collection efforts, so please consult a tax professional or an attorney during your planning of a private fund raiser.

 

Sandy Hook School Support Fund

Posted on December 15, 2012 by John F. Trentacosta

In response to the outpouring of donation pledges we have been receiving from all over the world, Newtown Savings Bank has partnered with United Way of Western CT to establish the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Check donations may be mailed to:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund,
c/o Newtown Savings Bank,
39 Main Street, Newtown CT  06470
Or may be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location http://www.nsbonline.com/about-us/locations.aspx

Credit Card donations can be made at https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/.

For questions please call 800-461-0672