St. Mary's Bank today announced that it is accepting donations in $10 increments to purchase 15-minute phone cards for our New Hampshire service men and women who are deployed overseas. The actual time on the phone card will vary depending on the country the call is originated from. These cards provide a valuable mechanism for our soldiers to call home and stay in touch with their loved ones.

St. Mary's Bank will purchase the first batch of calling cards with funds collected through close of business Saturday, November 12th, the day after Veteran's Day. "We selected Veteran's Day as an appropriate time to purchase the calling cards as a small way to thank our troops for their service to our country, and to show them that we care about them, their families, and the communities in which they live", said Ronald Rioux, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary's Bank. Donations will be accepted from members and the general public and will be collected at any St. Mary's teller station or drive-up.

The calling cards will be purchased through Operation Uplink, a service provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Donations are tax deductible. Upon request, proper documentation will be provided at the time of the donation. Calling cards will be distributed to soldiers anonymously. Individuals or organizations wishing to contribute directly to Operation Uplink, or to purchase calling cards for a specific loved one, should contact the VFW at 1-800-479-5228, or at www.operationuplink.org.