Tompkins VIST Bank raised $14,000 at its third annual MDA fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, bringing the total raised over the last three years to $35,000. The funds will be used to send children with neuromuscular disease to a summer camp in June.
For the Cow Pie Bingo, held Tuesday evening at Classic Harley-Davidson in Leesport, the bank raised more than $11,000 and received a matching gift of $3,000 from the Jeremy Carroll foundation, bringing the total to over $14,000.
Tompkins VIST Bank sold $20 squares to the public for a chance to claim the spot where the cow would lay a pie. More than 100 bank customers, employees, MDA supporters and others watched as two steer calves wandered around a grassy pen. It took one hour for one of the calves to pick its spot. The calves belong to 11 year old Jonathon Werley, who is raising them for a 4H dairy beef project. Jonathon is the son of Travis Werley, head of the bank’s agribusiness group and himself a farmer.
“This is the first of our MDA fundraisers that was open to customers and the public and we were very appreciative of the turnout,” said Scott Gruber, president and CEO of Tompkins VIST Bank. “The funds raised, including the generous donation from the Jeremy Carroll foundation, will help more children have a great experience at the summer camp.”
Meghan Dashe, Fundraising Coordinator for MDA said, “The people at Tompkins VIST Bank who take the time to plan and execute such amazing and successful events like Cow Pie Bingo are extraordinary. Our summer camp is incredible because of people like the employees at Tompkins VIST Bank. They care about MDA, they care about the community and they want to help; that’s what sets them apart.”