Pictured left to right: Barbara Ford, Coldwell Banker Mass. Ave., Realtor, Janine M. Mahoney, Community Relations Officer, ECSB, Arthur C. Spears, President & CEO, ECSB, David Pap, Board Chair, CHAF, Dan Malis, Malis Law, Attorney, Naomi Sweitzer, Assistant Executive Director, HomeStart, Jean LeVaux, Coldwell Banker Huron Ave., Realtor, Andreas Kreutzer, Coldwell Banker Mass. Ave., Realtor, Susan Lapierre, Senior Vice President & CRA Officer, Cambridge Savings Bank

CAMBRIDGE, Recently — As the rate of homelessness continues to rise in today’s economy, East Cambridge Savings Bank donated $15,000 through its charitable foundation to The Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF).  CHAF has been fighting the battle against homelessness since 1999.

President and CEO of East Cambridge Savings Bank Arthur C. Spears stated, “East Cambridge Savings Bank was pleased to be the lead sponsor of CHAF’s Home Sweet Home Fundraising Campaign this year. The bank, as lead sponsor, donated $15,000 from the East Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation with an additional $2,500 as a match to the TV Diner live auction item.” Spears also noted that the Cambridge community banks, realtors, attorneys and all the volunteers were very generous in their support to prevent homelessness.

The Home Sweet Home fundraiser offered Cambridge and Boston top dessert chefs a chance to represent themselves in the second annual “Yummy Awards” competition for best desserts – all to benefit Cambridge homeless residents and at risk households. “Thanks to the leadership of Art Spears and Janine M. Mahoney East Cambridge Savings Bank’s Community Relations Officer,” said Board Chair David Pap, “CHAF has met their goal of $150,000 for the year 2009, enough to provide more than 100 individuals and families with a place to live.” To find out how you can help, please visit www.CHAfund.org.

East Cambridge Savings Bank, with over $800 million in assets, is a mutual savings bank established by Massachusetts charter in 1854, and provides both businesses and individuals with a full line of banking services. The Bank is headquartered in Cambridge, MA with additional offices in Arlington, Belmont, Medford, Somerville, and Waltham, MA, and an educational training facility at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge, MA.  The Bank is a member of FDIC and a member of DIF.