|
At a time when businesses are struggling on Big Basin Way, a group of Saratoga Girl Scouts decided it's important to recognize companies that are giving back to the community.
The Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County Council distribute a "Community Partnership Award" every year to recognize outstanding non-Girl Scout individuals and organizations who support the nonprofit, volunteer-run organization. Examples of support include co-sponsorship of activities with Girl Scouts, significant in-kind gifts or involvement or connection beyond financial donations.
This year's local recipients are the Saratoga branches of Downey Savings and Loan, 14411 Big Basin Way, and Bank of America, 14476 Big Basin Way. Girl Scout parent Doris Cooper, also treasurer of local service unit 18, presented the awards to the banks on July 8, which came as a complete surprise to employees at both locations.
Downey teller Lynn Van Rhee, who has assisted local Girl Scout troops in opening and maintaining bank accounts, said she was touched by the sweet gesture and certificate, which will be hung in the bank for public viewing.
"It is fun for us because we do like to be involved with what is going on in the community," Van Rhee said.
She added that the tellers always try to be patient with the young Scouts, who bring in handfuls of change. But Van Rhee knows what it's like, since she was once a Girl Scout growing up in Holland, where she was born. She has happy memories of sitting around campfires telling ghost stories, participating in scavenger hunts and building lasting camaraderie.
"I'm so supportive of Girl Scouts," she said.
Nicole Fisher, Bank of America's assistant vice president and banking center manager for the Saratoga branch, could not be reached for comment.
Service unit 18, which distributed the awards thanks to Cooper, is a local group of about 35 troops, including more than 300 girls from grades K12, who are primarily from the Saratoga area and involved in the community and service-related activities. Cooper said they participate in events such as Building Bridges, a Saratoga event that promotes cultural diversity, "camporees," book drives for literacy and Memorial Day ceremonies, to name a few.
They picked the Saratoga banking branches, Cooper said, because many of the troops have opened their accounts at either of the two branches. The branches have waived monthly fees and provided free checking accounts to the troops, Cooper said.
"These two banks have been very easy to work with," said Linda Parriott, public relations and communications manager for the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County Council. "They host a lot of Girl Scout accounts. We are just very happy to have businesses that support Girl Scouts."
Previous recipients of the award in 200203 include Carmen Takemoto of Holly Hocks & Co. Stencil Shop in Sunnyvale and Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards of Saratoga.
|
