02/20/2014
Citizens Bank and Volunteer NH recognize Eric Labonville with Good Citizen Award
$250 donation made in Labonville’s honor to The Holiday Center
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Citizens Bank and Volunteer NH have named Eric Labonville a “Good Citizen” for his outstanding commitment to the Berlin community. The Good Citizen Award honors people who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteerism and, through their efforts, strengthen the communities where they live and work. As part of the award, a $250 donation is being made in Labonville’s honor to The Holiday Center.
“Eric is a true asset to the Berlin community,” said Terri Crossland, Citizens Bank Berlin branch manager. “His passion to serve others is an inspiration to so many. We are proud to work with Volunteer NH to showcase people like Eric and the tremendous work they do in our New Hampshire communities.”
Labonville is an essential volunteer at The Holiday Center, a nonprofit adult daycare and senior center in Berlin. He delivers USDA-provided food to the center, serves the seniors free lunches, drives them to activities, and is always there to provide a smile, a listening ear and a friendly conversation.
“The Holiday Center would not be able to offer many of the services and events we do if it were not for Eric,” said Lisabeth Carlson, executive director at The Holiday Center. “Many of our clients would not have the opportunity to get out and go shopping, to the theater, to the beach or to see Christmas lights without Eric’s services. Just ask any of our seniors and disabled clients what Eric has meant to them – you will hear about the stories, jokes, patience and confidence he brings.”
Labonville started volunteering at The Holiday Center six years ago and gives 10 to 20 hours of service per month.
Gretchen Berger-Wabuti, executive director at Volunteer NH, stated, “It was wonderful to learn about Eric’s good work. His exemplary service is meaningful and needed, and we are pleased to recognize his efforts.”
Volunteer NH, a nonprofit organization that promotes volunteerism and service in New Hampshire, sponsors and supports national service initiatives such as AmeriCorps. It also provides training, a volunteer matching service and volunteer-recognition programs.
The Good Citizen Award is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to contribute to the economic vitality of the communities it serves. The awards will be presented on a monthly basis through November 2014, when all of this year’s Good Citizens will be honored at the Spirit of New Hampshire Awards ceremony.
Good Citizen Award nominations can be made online at www.volunteernh.org. Nominations are evaluated based on the long-term impact of the nominee’s service and how they have inspired others to get involved or contributed to a culture of volunteerism. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Questions may be directed to Charles Caldwell, administrative outreach officer, Volunteer NH, at 603.271.7200 or by sending an email to [email protected].
About Citizens Helping Citizens
Grounded in the belief that a good bank gives back to its community and to the people who live there, Citizens Helping Citizens is a program embracing the community goals of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. – the commercial bank holding company serving consumer and small business customers as Citizens Bank and Charter One and commercial banking customers as RBS Citizens. The Citizens Helping Citizens program is composed of five key initiatives supported directly by RBSCFG and its nonprofit charitable foundations, the Citizens Charitable Foundation, the Citizens Bank Foundation and the Charter One Foundation: Citizens Helping Citizens Fight Hunger, Citizens Helping Citizens Provide Shelter, Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities (economic development), Citizens Helping Citizens Teach Money Management (financial education) and Citizens Helping Citizens Give (volunteerism and colleague charitable donations). Across all of these initiatives, Citizens Helping Citizens strives to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities.
