Many have heard by now that Central Savings Bank (CSB) of Sault Ste. Marie was selected as the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Overall Business of the Year Award recipient, but does everyone know why?
“They have not only helped the community with their financial contribution, but have volunteered countless hours of time and commitment to many organizations,” Chamber President Tony Haller said.
“What matters to our communities, matters to CSB,” Marketing Director Andrea Masters followed.
In 2022, CSB collected approximately $628 for Mackinac County Victims Service Unit, $612.12 for the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, $904 for Great Lakes Recovery Centers of the Sault, and $610 for Diane Peppler Resource Center.
CSB pledged $10,000 to the Soo Theare Project capital campaign back in August, encouraging the theatre to make additional fundraising progress.
The CBS team donated $16,915.02 to support the Weaver Family of Escanaba.
At approximately 3:55 p.m. on Friday, January 27, Michigan State Police – Gladstone Post, were dispatched to a multi-vehicle traffic crash on US-2 near Garden Corners in Delta County when a semi-truck lost control and hit a white Toyota SUV head-on.
Meanwhile, Sault Ste. Marie was hosting a boys varsity basketball game against Escanaba. Gerald and Tara Weaver were killed on their way to the game, where their son was playing. CBS stepped up to help.
To date, around $73,000 has been collected and donated through annual burger bashes and shirt sales to benefit the MyMichigan Road to Recovery Cancer Care-a-van program.
The bank’s 11th annual MyMichigan Health Road to Recovery Burger Bash was held last June and sold nearly 500 burgers to rack in more than $8,200, plus additional T-shirt sales.
“We don't have radiation and oncology in the Sault,” MyMichigan Medical Center Sault Chief Nursing Officer Marla Bunker said at the event. “Patients have to drive to Petoskey for treatment, which is usually five days a week for six weeks. So, in other words, you have to drive back and forth for a 15 minute appointment.”
McLaren Northern Michigan is the closest hospital offering oncology and treatment services. Patents are forced to drive over 90 miles one way with gas prices around $5.19 per gallon, travel can quickly grow into a problem of its own.
Care-a-van volunteers spend an average of $11,220 on gas. A single van runs about 48,360 miles per year, requiring up to six oil changes.
“A lot of people can't do it,” Bunker said. “Some are elderly and can't drive; some people don't have cars; and others just can't afford it.”
Over 20 CSB employees and Road to Recovery volunteers helped make the 2022 burger bash a success by donating space, time, and supplies.
CBS staff also host the annual Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac (CLM) Relay For Life of the EUP each year. The bank donates annually to local food pantries, such as the Sault area school backpack project and local Salvation Army.
Its staff have made it their mission to teach EUP students about credit and how to save money. It also gave to Rudyard Area Schools for its new baseball dugout, Hospice of the EUP, Koats For Kids, Michigan Army National Guard Family Programs, as well as to the Sault Area Career Center Business Professionals of America Chapter (BPA).
Masters congratulated the nineteen BPA students who went to nationals last weekend, placing in the top seven with 15 eligible to advance to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Anaheim, CA next month.
“We participate in various Christmas Giving programs, like Pickford Career and Community Leaders of America,” Masters added.
CSB also presented a $15,000 check to Soo Locks Children’s Museum last August.
“We feel the museum is very important to the community and we wanted to be a part of that,” CSB CEO Mark Savoie said at the check presentation. “It is important to bring in tourists and get them excited. It's also great that we can have our local children involved to learn things about different occupations at the museum.”
The Soo Locks Children’s Museum is currently at $150,000 of its $1.5 million goal. Donations and volunteers are needed to help achieve that goal.
The CBS team is currently involved in fundraising efforts for various non-profit organizations by hosting dress down days and accepting public donations. The Masters said the bank matches all donations up to $5,000.
“We are honored to have been chosen for this award,” Savoie said. “We take great pride and enjoy working with our community to volunteer, donate, and help make financial dreams a reality. We look forward to continuing to partner with the EUP for many years to come.”
Learn more about the 2023 Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Award winners, here.
Central Savings Bank is located at 511 Bingham Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Its phone number is 906-635-6250.
