When Bob Cocks' daughter Kate Cocks first joined the Peace Corps and went to Niger in August 2003, he knew she would be making a difference for people in a third- world country. What the president and chief executive officer of Putnam Savings Bank in Putnam, Conn., didn't know was the role he and the bank would end up playing
Putnam Savings Lends a Hand, Far Away and Close to Home
May 1, 2005
America's Community Banker
When Bob Cocks' daughter first joined the Peace Corps in August 2003, he knew she would be making a difference for people in a third- world country. What the president and chief executive officer of Putnam Savings Bank in Putnam, Conn., didn't know was the role he and the bank would end up playing.
Kate Cocks realized almost as soon as she arrived in the village of Balaga in the western African country of Niger that she had landed in the midst of a healthcare crisis. The closest medical facility was more than 10 miles away, and with the villages limited transportation, getting there was a challenge. Most villagers went without medical treatment, and the infant mortality rate was high.
Kate decided that Balaga needed its own healthcare clinic to serve its 200 villagers and some 5,000 people who live in the surrounding communities or who travel on the Niger River, which runs past Balaga. Kate's plan for the clinic included labor, land, and resources from within the local community.
After gaining political approval from the capital city of Niger, and getting a green light from the Peace Corps Partnership Program, her project was posted on the Peace Corps Web site, and the search for funding was on. But after contributions made by the villagers and in-kind donations, she was still $8,098 short.
"Kate called me up, and told me about the hospital clinic idea. At first, I was a little leery about raising money for a project that my daughter was associated with," Cocks said. His trepidation evaporated as support came in.
"I soon realized that people were very interested in helping a third-world country. And Kates involvement actually helped," he said. "With her running the project, people knew that the money would go where it was supposed to go. They trusted her."
Cocks approached the board of directors of $317 million-asset Putnam Savings, and they immediately agreed to help out, authorizing a $500 contribution from the bank. His next stop was with the employee committee responsible for Putnam Savings' charity dress- down days, a monthly fundraiser in which bank employees donate to a charitable cause to "buy" the ability to wear casual dress for the day.
More than 5,000 locals, including many children (right), will soon have access to medical care in the village of Balaga in Niger. Putnam Savings Bank's president and CEO, Bob Cocks, led efforts to raise more than $8,000 to make the clinic a reality. His daughter, Kate Cocks (top right), coordinated and is overseeing the project during her stint with the Peace Corps.
"I asked them if they'd sponsor a dress-down day to benefit Kate's project. They agreed right away," Cocks said. Typically, a dress-down event at the bank raises $200 to $300, but the employees dug deep to help make the Balaga hospital a reality.
"At our Christmas party, their gift to me was a check for $1,300. I was completely blown away," Cocks said. "I am constantly amazed by the generosity of the staff of Putnam Savings, but their contribution to this fund literally left me in awe. fust about every person I spoke with was more than willing to make a contribution to see Kate's dream realized."
Cocks also made a presentation to the Rotary Club that yielded yet more donations.
In early 2005, Cocks called Kate to tell her the money had been raised. Construction on the clinic began in late February, and as of press time, he was eagerly awaiting an update. "Kate is back in the bush, and there's no electricity or phones, so we have yet to hear from her about the status of the clinic," Cocks said. As for future third-world charity projects, Cocks was quick to say, "we'll just wait to see what Kate does next."
While the majority of Putnam's charity efforts are closer to home, its efforts on behalf of the clinic fit right in with the mentality of the bank. "Community involvement is at the core of our bank," Cocks said.
Last year, for example, the bank raised $500,000 for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. "Per capita, we were number one in the country in terms of money raised," Cocks said. The bank also supports the March of Dimes, and Cocks recently finished serving a two-year term as honorary chairman of the local March of Dimes WalkAmerica.
Cocks also serves on several boards, including a local hospital and the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce. He is also an active member of the Putnam Rotary Club, and a frequent volunteer for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Deary Road Race.
Putman Savings' fundraising efforts go far beyond its dress-down days. For example, the bank has sold Beanie Babies to support the March of Dimes, and pink bracelets for the American Cancer Society.
Cocks said he is proud of his employees' willingness to contribute to charity work. "Nearly all of our employees are involved in charity, and they're not only involved, they're in leadership positions," he added. Employees are also encouraged to be creative and come up with their own charity programs. "They come up with ideas, and then they come to me for the money," Cocks said.
One year, the tellers decided to produce a cookbook based on customer recipes, Cocks said. Every time a customer came in to do a transaction, a teller would ask if they had a recipe to share. The bank ended up printing the book, which included more than 200 recipes, and the money went to the American Cancer Society. As Cocks recalls, meatloaf proved to be one of the more popular recipes.
"I am constantly amazed by the generosity of the Staff of Putnam Savings."
Copyright America's Community Bankers May 2005
