Union-Bulletin

Contributions to a coin drive at local Community Bank branches were more than a drop in the bucket.

The annual Change For Charity Drive raised a record $24,709, officials with the Joseph, Ore., bank said.

Between Nov. 5 and Dec. 14, all bank branches were collecting donations for charities selected by each branch manager for the local community.

The more than $24,000 came from donations, matches and rewards and was $9,000 more than last year’s collection.

A total of $14,598 came from the company’s “east region” branches in Joseph, Enterprise, Wallowa, Elgin, La Grande and Baker City. Branches in Hermiston, Heppner, Pendleton, Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla, College Place and Clarkston collected $4,110.

Community Bank matches 50 cents on the dollar up to $5,000 and provides an extra $1,000 bonus to charities in the region that collects the most donations. This is the first year the bank’s contribution reached $5,000.

Community Bank has been distributing the funds to the designated charities, as well as the $1,000 bonus which is split between six charities in the east region.

Charities to benefit locally include the Milton-Freewater City Light and Power Assistance Program with $468 and Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank with $315.