Penn Community Bank wins 2017 Spirit of Habitat Award from Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
“We don’t give to get, we give to give and we’re getting back so much more,” said Jeane Coyle, president and CEO of Penn Community Bank.
At Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s annual Hard Hats and High Heels fundraising benefit, Penn Community Bank was honored with the 2017 Spirit of Habitat Award for its long-standing support to the nonprofit. The award honors people or organizations that have demonstrated years of dedication in supporting Habitat Bucks and its mission to build strong communities, and Penn Community Bank has gone above and beyond.
The bank was formed in August 2015 as a product of two former banks, First Federal of Bucks County and First Savings Bank of Perkasie. Both had strong ties to Habitat Bucks for more than 20 years, so it only seemed natural to continue this partnership.
According to Coyle, more than 300 team members have been involved in building homes for those in need and other projects in the area, and there is a lot of energy throughout the organization when it comes to volunteering for Habitat Bucks. While employees aren’t forced into it, the majority still willingly dedicate their time.
“We want them to connect from the heart,” Coyle said. “These are basic needs we want to invest in to improve the lives of those in the community.”
Volunteers from the bank have contributed more than 200 hours of labor to Habitat building projects, and the bank has sponsored three Habitat homes in Bucks County. Bank employees have served on the board of directors, committees and advisory board, and the bank donated land in Croydon for the organization’s 101st home. Volunteers also participate in the “Clarify” program, in which they join Habitat members to help educate the community about home finances.
In addition, Penn Community Bank will usually provide generous donations of $10,000 per home, according to Florence Kawoczka, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County.
“They have fun but they still get a lot of work done on the home,” Kawoczka said. “It’s a culture of teamwork, positivity and happiness to be helping in the community.”
Coyle and the volunteers at Penn Community Bank were honored to receive the Spirit Award and the recognition of being more than just a bank. While they donate money to Habitat, they were chosen for the award because of the time, dedication and love put forth to help those who need it most.
“We are grateful to Penn Community Bank and all of their team members for their outstanding service to this community,” Kawoczka said. “We recognize their commitment to helping make Bucks County a better place for everyone to call home by awarding them the 2017 Spirit of Habitat Award.”
Habitat Bucks broke ground in Morrisville in January for what will be its 105th home built in Bucks County since the organization’s founding in 1990. Penn Community Bank is a sponsor of that project, and also was the Diamond Hammer sponsor of Hard Hats and High Heels, held at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland on April 28. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, visit habitatbucks.org. ••
