Needham Bank Signs On as Major Sponsor of the Ashland Education Foundation

10/11/2016

Mark Whalen, Chief Executive Officer of Needham Bank, Adam Elbirt, President of the Ashland Education Foundation, and Paul Totino, President of Needham BankASHLAND, MA---Needham Bank and the Ashland Education Foundation (AEFI) announced today the renewal of their partnership through the 2016-2017 academic year with Needham Bank supporting AEFI charity fundraising events including Casino Night, the MetroWest College and Career Fair, and the Annual Innovation Grant Awards Gala.

“Since opening their branch in Ashland in 2015, Needham Bank has quickly become a pillar of the community and has provided major financial support to the AEFI and the Ashland Public Schools. Needham Bank truly cares about the Ashland community and that is reflected in everything they do,” stated AEFI President Adam Elbirt.

Photo: Mark Whalen, Chief Executive Officer of Needham Bank, Adam Elbirt, President of the Ashland Education Foundation, and Paul Totino, President of Needham Bank

Mark Whalen, Needham Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, remarked, “The Ashland Education Foundation was one of the first relationships we formed when we opened in Ashland. Our community is incredibly lucky to have an organization that demonstrates this type of dedication to our schools. Our partnership with the AEFI is extremely important to us, and we are delighted to support them again this school year.”

The 3rd Annual Casino Night will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016. The event will be held at Hanto, 380 Union St (Route 135), Ashland from 7:30-10:30 PM. Gather your friends and neighbors for a fun evening playing Blackjack, Craps, Texas Hold'em, and Roulette to raise money for the AEFI Innovation Grant awards.

The MetroWest College and Career Fair (MWCCF), scheduled for Saturday April 1, 2017 from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Ashland High School, showcases a variety of choices available to students after completing high school. The MWCCF hosts over 100 colleges from around the country, along with many professionals for students to discuss "real-life" career paths. The MWCCF also offers speaker panels where seasoned professionals offer important and timely information on higher education and relevant topics.

The 14th Annual Innovation Grant Awards Gala will be held at the Framingham Sheraton Tara Hotel on Friday April 7, 2017. The event typically draws 300-400 attendees and raises over $40,000 to benefit the AEFI’s mission to fund innovative education through competitive innovation grants and school needs grants. The evening includes a mix of live entertainment, awards, grants in action videos and a silent auction.

Since 2010, the AEFI has raised over $520,000 towards funding innovative projects within the Ashland Public Schools.