Funds will support a solar-powered traveling exhibit and an Early Childhood Science Learning Center

Cornerstone Bank has pledged $25,000 over two years to EcoTarium’s $10.5 million Third Century Capital Campaign – Phase III.

“As the only science and nature museum in Central Massachusetts, EcoTarium is a valuable community resource,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “It is our honor to make this pledge in support of the organization’s efforts to expand its facility and ensure it is here for generations to come.”

The funding from Cornerstone Bank will support the construction of a 6,000-square-foot, solar-powered traveling exhibit, and the redevelopment of the early learning play area into an Early Childhood Science Learning Center, including program expansion and an endowment dedicated to supporting children from birth to age eight and their families.

“We are grateful to Cornerstone Bank for its support of our work,” said EcoTarium President and CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “As we approach the 200th anniversary of our organization in 2025, the completion of these projects will allow us to showcase the museum’s achievements over the years, and bring renewed awareness to our mission. We couldn’t accomplish this without dedicated community partners like Cornerstone Bank.”

Cornerstone Bank is committed to supporting causes that improve the quality of life for the residents of central Massachusetts. The bank frequently makes monetary donations and donations of goods or services to local schools, civic groups and church groups in the communities it serves.

Well-rooted in the Worcester community as the oldest organization dedicated to the study of science and nature, EcoTarium is a private, non-profit institution whose work continues to reflect the ideologies and vision adopted when it was founded almost 200 years ago.

Funds support the For One Child Foundation and The WellStorm, Inc.

Cornerstone Bank is sponsoring the Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala with a $5,000 donation. The event, which will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 6 p.m. at 55 Pearl Street in Worcester, benefits The WellStorm (TWS) in Southbridge and the For One Child Foundation in Auburn. 

“Not only are we proud to support these two deserving organizations, but also to raise awareness for the valuable work they do,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “We hope others will join by attending and sponsoring this fun and creative opportunity to ‘glam up’ for a great cause.”

TWS aims to bridge the gap of poverty and engage the community in building connections and support for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health struggles and food insecurity. One way TWS does this is by supporting the community with the Bridge Fridge, which allows anyone in the community to access healthy food. The mission of the For One Child Foundation is to empower children by providing learning materials, educational technology and other classroom necessities to deprived schoolchildren, in order to holistically enhance their lives and allow for a better future.

The Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala will include awards highlighting the work of each organization’s staff, volunteers and supporters, as well as raffles, silent auctions, food, drinks, music and dancing. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online at bit.ly/3S8biEg.

Cornerstone Bank today announced it has received the Community Award from the Planting the Seed Foundation. The award recognizes Cornerstone’s commitment to homeless children and their families.

“Planting the Seed Foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of families in need throughout our community grows bigger every year,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “It is our privilege to proudly support them with our Stuff the Bus and toy drive campaigns, and it is a tremendous honor to receive the Community Award.”

Planting the Seed Foundation gives out two Community Awards each year—one to a single person and the other to a community sponsor. Cornerstone Bank’s receipt of the award this year recognizes the company’s support of Planting the Seed with their donations from the annual school supply drive (backpacks, pencils, lunchboxes, etc.) and last year’s holiday toy drive.

Funds support the ‘Bridging the Gap' Campaign

Cornerstone Bank has committed $25,000 to the Bridge of Faith Youth Center in Southbridge as part of the organization’s “Bridging the Gap” campaign. The funds—$12,500 in 2023 and $12,500 in 2024—support the organization’s mission to provide youth with essential social, academic and spiritual development in a safe, supervised atmosphere.

“We are honored to sponsor the Bridging the Gap campaign in its development of the future home of the Bridge of Faith Youth Center,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “The work this organization is doing to support youth and families in the community is truly astounding.”

The funds will be used to renovate a historical building in Southbridge to include tutoring and conference rooms, audio and video recording studios, the youth center office and a game room. The Center is working to restore arts and entertainment in Southbridge, as well as provide ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, job search assistance and job readiness training to local parents.

“We are grateful for Cornerstone’s support of our campaign,” said Esteban Carrasco Jr, President, Bridge of Faith Youth Center. “Our team has been working hard as our goals are ambitious, and we cannot wait to make our dreams for our organization become reality.”

Cornerstone Bank is committed to supporting causes that improve the quality of life for the residents of central Massachusetts. The bank frequently makes monetary donations and donations of goods or services to local schools, civic groups and church groups in the communities it serves.

To support the Bridging the Gap campaign, visit bridgeoffaithyouthcenter.org.

Festival will be hosted by Spencer Exchange Club on November 4

Cornerstone Bank has donated $5,000 to the Spencer Exchange Club and will be the lead sponsor of the 2023 Fall Food Fest on Saturday, November 4, at the Spencer Country Inn.

“We’ve proudly supported this event since its first year and it is always a huge success,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “This year’s event is raising money for the local youth basketball court that was damaged in a recent fire. It is our honor to help support this effort that will benefit the youth of Spencer.”

Throughout the years, the Exchange Club of Spencer has been responsible for community improvements of all types, such as the beautification of town parks, the Town Hall clock restoration, children’s play spaces, Memorial Day flags and Spencer Little League Association refreshment booth.

Leicester resident helped build a commercial banking team and empowered people to explore their dreams

Cornerstone Bank announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Vice President, Senior Commercial Officer Michael J. Quink of Leicester. In his time at Cornerstone Bank, Quink received multiple elite sales and leadership awards and is credited with helping to build the Cornerstone commercial banking team into what it is today.

“It has been a privilege to work with Mike and watch him build what we believe is the best commercial banking team in Worcester County,” said Todd Tallman, CEO of Cornerstone Bank. “We thank Mike for his valuable contributions and leadership, specifically his ability to listen to clients, meet them where they are and find the right solutions for them. We wish him the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”

Quink began his banking career over 40 years ago and has spent the last 13 years at Cornerstone Bank. He has loved every step of the journey, especially the time spent with people he has met, learned from, helped, and been helped by. He has always been enthusiastic and engaged, devising new ways to inspire and empower people to go out and explore their dreams, hopes and wishes.  

“In my 43 years in banking, the work I am most proud of isn’t the sales and leadership awards I’ve won; it’s the people – my colleagues as well as our customers,” said Quink. “You’re only as good as the people around you and I have been fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best. We’ve grown together because we never deviate from company culture – we work together vs. apart. And, while I will miss this work and all the people immensely, I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors.”

Funds will be used to modernize facilities for people with disabilities and their families

Cornerstone Bank has pledged $125,000 to the Center of Hope Foundation in Southbridge as part of its Hope Grows Here Capital Campaign. Cornerstone will donate $25,000 per year for the next five years, with funds used to upgrade and expand the facilities for people with disabilities and their families.

“We are proud to support the amazing work Center of Hope does in our community,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “This organization provides valuable services and opportunities so that everyone can become contributing members of the community and achieve the most fulfilling lives possible.”

The funds will be used to redesign and renovate the Center of Hope facilities to optimize square footage, increase occupancy and create an aesthetically pleasing, non-institutional environment. This will include improved accessibility, updated computer labs, enhanced security and access control systems and upgraded HVAC, ventilation and air quality systems.

“We are grateful for Cornerstone’s support as our goals are ambitious,” said Cindy Howard, President and CEO, Center of Hope Foundation. “There are currently 7,000 people with disabilities in Massachusetts who are not receiving services. This campaign will allow us to increase our capacity and give hope and opportunity to more people in an inclusive and safe environment.”

To support the Hope Grows Here campaign, visit thecenterofhope.org/campaign.

Pictured from left to right: Todd Tallman, CEO of Cornerstone Bank; Cindy Howard, President & CEO of Center of Hope; Chad Krause, Chief Program Officer.

Hybrid technology fuses the convenience of an ATM with the personal service of a bank teller

Cornerstone Bank just unveiled a new 'Interactive Teller Machine' (ITM) at its Park Avenue branch in Worcester.

“This new technology offers our customers the best of both worlds,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “The ITM works the same as an ATM, but with the added capability to connect with one of our interactive customer service representatives via live video chat.”

Using their debit cards, customers can conduct the same transactions at an ITM as at an ATM, including making deposits of cash or checks, performing internal transfers between accounts, checking balances or withdrawing money. The ITM has the added capability of providing cash in multiple denominations, including coins.

During regular bank hours, customers can choose to engage with an interactive customer service representative (iCSR) by text or video chat if they have questions, need help with any of the standard ATM transactions, want to make a loan payment or wish to transfer funds to a secondary customer with an account at the bank. Because the ITM features an ID scanner, customers can also connect with an iCSR to perform transactions without their debit card. All iCSRs are located at the Cornerstone Bank Operations Center in Southbridge.

“We want to provide our customers with as many secure options as possible to bank in ways that work best for them,” said Cornerstone Bank EVP of Retail Banking, Altaf Ahmed. “The ITM expands the offerings of a traditional ATM, is simple to use and offers greater versatility. It’s a technology that merges convenience with personalized customer service.”

Rick Renaud is based in Spencer and Jay Correia in Westborough

Cornerstone Bank recently welcomed two new vice presidents, mortgage loan officers. Rick Renaud is based at Cornerstone’s Spencer branch on 176 Main Street, and Jay Correia at the Westborough loan center on 45 Lyman Street.

“We’re delighted to welcome Rick and Jay to leadership roles on our team,” said Todd Tallman, CEO of Cornerstone Bank. “With a combined 40 years in the field here in the northeast, they bring tremendous expertise and exceptional track records for service to our customers, as well as a commitment to community and our industry beyond the office.”

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Renaud has spent more than two decades in the mortgage lending field. He is a long-standing National Association of Home Builders Spike Club member and a former first vice president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Massachusetts.

Renaud, a Paxton resident, said, “I am looking forward to helping Cornerstone customers make the best decisions for their home financing needs.”

With nearly 20 years of mortgage and banking experience, Correia has extensive knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Massachusetts Housing Project (MHP), Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and portfolio products.

Correia, a resident of Fall River, said, “I am committed to helping customers from all backgrounds, and I pride myself on being a trusted advisor who works tirelessly to help my clients meet their goals.”

Funds will support the Briarwood Golf Outing and 5K & Walk for Barton

Cornerstone Bank has donated a total of $8,750 to sponsor two fall events: the Briarwood Golf Outing at the Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston on Thursday, September 28; and the 5th Annual 5K & Walk for Barton, Fall Festival & Craft Fair in North Oxford on Saturday, October 14.

“It is a tremendous privilege to support both of these incredible organizations,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “The important work they each do is vital to the community, and we are proud to be part of these wonderful annual events.”

Committed to supporting causes that improve the quality of life for the residents of Central Massachusetts, Cornerstone Bank frequently makes monetary donations and donations of goods or services to local schools and civic groups in the communities it serves.

Cornerstone’s $7,500 sponsorship of the Briarwood Golf Outing will help Worcester-based Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community in its mission to provide the highest quality coordinated housing, health, wellness and support services to its residents.

The Bank’s $1,250 donation to the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc., will be used to raise money to support camp operations, fund the campership program and provide financial assistance to children who would otherwise be unable to attend camp.

To learn more about Briarwood’s Golf Outing, visit briarwoodretirement.com. For more information about the Barton Center and the 5^th Annual 5K & Walk, visit bartoncenter.org.