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TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [February 6, 2026] – The 6th Annual “Jeans for Charity” fundraiser was another tremendous success in 2025! Mechanics Cooperative Bank employees who enrolled in the Jeans for Charity program were allowed to wear jeans each Friday and Saturday throughout the year in exchange for a small charitable contribution via payroll deduction. In 2025, with the Bank’s matching contribution, the team raised a total of $20,000 for local nonprofit organizations – a new record for the program.
The final distribution of donations was determined by a vote of participating employees. We are proud to announce that the following organizations will each receive a gift totaling $4,000 from Mechanics Cooperative Bank and their employees:
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County
- Forever Paws Animal Shelter
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Veterans Association of Bristol County
“Our employees continue to show tremendous generosity and community spirit through our Jeans for Charity Program” said Joseph T. Baptista, President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank. “This program reflects our longstanding commitment to supporting worthy causes, both locally and beyond, and truly embodies our “Let’s Keep it Local!” philosophy. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and compassion our team brings to this effort each year.”
Photo Caption: Mechanics Cooperative Bank employees present a $20,000 donation to nonprofit partners as part of the Bank’s 2025 Jeans for Charity program. Pictured from left to right: Adelia Pimentel of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Joe Durkin of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Beverly Andrade of Forever Paws Animal Shelter, Maria Goulart of Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, Gail Furtado of Forever Paws Animal Shelter, Diana Griffin of Alzheimer’s Association, Ken Levesque of Veterans Association of Bristol County, and Ronald Garron of Mechanics Cooperative Bank.
About The Alzheimer’s Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research with a mission of leading the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association is committed to advancing vital research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. For more information, please call (800) 272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
About Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County:
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County provides a safe, child-focused environment where children who have experienced abuse or trauma can be supported and heard. Through coordinated services that include forensic interviewing, family advocacy, counseling referrals and community partnerships, the Center minimizes trauma and helps children and their caregivers access the resources they need to heal. For more information, visit www.cacofbc.org or call (508) 674-6711.
About Forever Paws:
Forever Paws offers comprehensive treatment and care to stray, abused, or abandoned animals. The shelter continues to operate under no-kill practices, offering care for all treatable conditions with no restrictions on length of stay. Forever Paws is devoted to educating future generations to foster compassionate and humane attitudes towards all species of animal. Forever Paws is a nonprofit organization, relying on donations, fundraising, and dedicated benefactors and supporters. For more information please call (508) 677-9154 or visit www.foreverpaws.com.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay. For more information please call (800) 822-6344 or visit www.stjude.org.
About Veterans Association of Bristol County:
The Veterans Association of Bristol County is dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families through advocacy, outreach, peer support and essential resources. Founded by veterans in 1987, the organization helps those who have served access benefits, build community, and transition successfully back to civilian life. With programs ranging from counseling and camaraderie groups to food assistance and benefit navigation, the Association promotes healing, stability, and dignity for veterans throughout Bristol County. For more information, visit www.thevabc.org, or call (508) 679-9277.
About the Jeans for Charity Program:
Mechanics Cooperative Bank’s Jeans for Charity program is an employee-led fundraising initiative that allows staff members to support nonprofit organizations through voluntary payroll deductions in exchange for jeans and a more casual dress code on Fridays and Saturdays. Each year, participating employees vote on the nonprofit recipients, with the Bank providing a matching contribution to maximize impact. The program reflects the Bank’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and employee engagement.
About Mechanics Cooperative Bank:
With total assets of $850 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide range of personal and business banking products designed to meet the needs of the communities it serves. As a Massachusetts co-operative bank, 100% of customers’ deposits are always fully insured. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank. Headquartered in Taunton, the Bank operates nine conveniently located branches including Bridgewater, Fall River, New Bedford, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, and Westport.
Mechanics Cooperative Bank remains committed to delivering exceptional service, modern banking solutions, and meaningful community support. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit mechanics.bank. Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender.