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THE LOAN RANGERS OF KENNEBEC SAVINGS BANK LASSO IN TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM TITLE
On Father’s Day weekend, Kennebec Savings Bank’s Trek Across Maine team, “The Loan Rangers,” rode from Bethel to Belfast as the top fundraising team benefiting the American Lung Association.
This was the sixth year the Loan Rangers of Kennebec Savings Bank have participated in the event, biking 180 miles over varying Maine terrain, torrential rain, and whipping winds, from Sunday River in Bethel to the coast in Belfast. The 52 member team, led by bike enthusiast and Kennebec Savings Bank Vice President and Marketing Officer, Laura Hudson, was proud to learn their standing as the top fundraising team, surpassing their set goal of $40,000 and raising over $43,000 for the important cause. The Loan Rangers also stood second in terms of number of team members. The team was formally recognized at a Trek event at Colby College Saturday evening.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Trek Across Maine, and over 2,500 Trekkers, the most in the event’s history, rode in support of the monumental year. The money raised is devoted to purifying the air, asthma education research, fighting lung disease, and encouraging lung health.
The Loan Rangers, composed of Bank employees, family, friends, and customers, were supported by a team of the Bank’s own volunteers, named the Range Rovers and led by Kennebec Savings Bank’s President and CEO, Mark Johnston, and Vice President and Human Resources Officer, Mary Hammond. Throughout the weekend, the volunteers ensured all of the team members’ needs were met from luggage transportation and hauling to keeping them fed and hydrated to offering moral support through the journey that was both physically and emotionally trying.
In 1988, Mark Johnston, began riding in the Trek Across Maine as a personal challenge and for the spirit of the cause. Six years ago, he was able to recruit other Bank employees to begin riding and the participation has grown ever since. His motivation and willingness to donate his time and energy to the Trek Across Maine inspired those involved in the Bank community to accompany him. Johnston said, “Not only is the Trek an enormous personal achievement to every rider, but it is for a cause that touches all of us in one way or another. By volunteering this year, I was able to appreciate the Trek in an entirely different way which was fulfilling and rewarding. Being involved is what really matters and I encourage everybody to get involved.”
The Loan Rangers, who sign a Code of Ethics upon enrollment, encourages members to always be happy, smiling, and courteous. There were many other reasons to smile this weekend, as on Father’s Day, many Loan Ranger fathers and their children crossed the gratifying finish line together.
To learn more about the American Lung Association of Maine and the Trek Across Maine or to sign up to volunteer, become a Trekker, or pledge someone, please visit lungme.org.
Kennebec Savings Bank is a $672 million state-chartered mutual savings bank, headquartered in Augusta. With 81 employees, and offices located in Waterville and Winthrop, Kennebec Savings Bank prides itself on being the bank where “the feeling is mutual.”
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