Traveling bank to aid village charities

A concept that dates back to supporting local service men during World War II found new life Thursday at a gala unveiling at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.

Approximately 150 people gathered to "Celebrate Arlington" and hear about how the Traveling Bank concept has been resurrected, this time to support nonprofit organizations in Arlington Heights.

Officials with Peoples' Bank have mounted the new concept, and they'll select its beneficiaries.

Already, the Arlington Heights Dollars for Scholars board of directors has announced it will host the Traveling Bank at the "Dueling Pianos" event on Oct. 27 at the Metropolis.

Funds raised that night will go toward $1,000 scholarships to be awarded in the spring to college-bound high school seniors.

As far as month-long traveling bank campaigns, it was announced Thursday that the Friends of the Library has been selected as the first recipient of funds to be collected in April.

Consequently, the Traveling Bank will be displayed at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library during the entire month of April, including during National Library Week and the Friends' Super Spring Book Sale.

All monies dropped into the bank will go directly to the Friends, whose mission is to support library enhancements not covered in its operating budget.

Peoples' Bank President Frank Appleby and Vice President Mary Ann Flynn met with nonprofit representatives after the unveiling, to discuss the application process and what to do if the groups do not have a central location.

Flynn indicated those groups could use the bank lobby as a place to display the Traveling Bank, where funds would be collected on their behalf.

Brochures describing the process are available at Peoples' Bank, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Interested groups also may contact Flynn directly, at (847) 368-0100.