St. Mary's Bank recently donated $1,500 to The Way Home to help build a playground for the children and families at their Transitional Housing facility at 214 Spruce Street in Manchester.

The Way Home was seeking funds to construct the playground after City Year volunteers worked in June to clean up the playground site and construct picnic tables. “We had a wonderful shady spot for a playground at the corner of Spruce and Beech,” says Mary Sliney, Director of The Way Home, “but our playground equipment became too unsafe and had to be removed last fall. This project was an effort to replace that equipment and create a new play area for our residents’ younger children.”

Seven formerly homeless families presently live at the Spruce street residence. “Many of these families have been through a tough time, and The Way Home apartments are a way for them to have a fresh start.” Says Sliney, “St. Mary’s gift of $1,500 really made this project possible for us.”

Tom Champagne, Vice President and Director of Community Outreach for St. Mary’s Bank notes the immediate impact of the gift. “Improving the quality of life for these children and their families in time for summer and helping to enjoy some safe fun outdoors is what St. Mary’s Community Outreach program is all about.”

The donation was made through St. Mary’s Community Outreach Program which is a set of core programs all designed to meet different specific needs of the underserved. The money given to The Way Home was though the Grant program which is specifically for non-profits.