Eastern Bank honors not-for-profit groups

Eastern Bank said it has awarded $2,500 grants to 20 Middlesex County not-for-profit organizations – part of a program to celebrate its October merger with MASSBANK.

The public was allowed to nominate organizations for the grants, and Eastern said it was so impressed by the nominations that it decided to award 60 additional organizations with grants of $500 each, bringing the total grants awarded to more than $80,000.

“Eastern Bank is firmly committed to giving back to the communities that it serves and felt that it was important to expand its charity efforts during a time when so many need help,” bank president Robert Rivers, said in a statement. “Eastern is proud to recognize and support these organizations, which have dramatically improved the quality of life across Middlesex County.”

Among the recipients of $2,500 grants were the Boys & Girls Club of Medford, the Chelmsford Friends of the Senior Center, and Community Service Network Inc. of Stoneham, Eastern said.

Founded in 1818 and based in Boston, Eastern has $7 billion in assets and almost 90 branches stretching from Merrimack Valley to Cape Cod.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)