In celebration of the 40th anniversary of its iconic Christmas Kittens commercial, Bangor Savings Bank has donated $12,000 to 12 animal shelters and rescue organizations across Maine and New Hampshire. This past holiday season, the Bank invited the public to nominate local humane societies and animal shelters for a chance to receive a donation and selected the recipients based on more than 2,000 online votes. 

Among the 12 nonprofits that received a $1,000 donation from Bangor Savings Bank are Pope Memorial Humane Society, in Thomaston, and PAWS Animal Adoption Center, in Camden. 

All recipients of the funds had an opportunity to join the Bank for a video chat to learn more about the good work they are doing across Maine and New Hampshire. Click here to enjoy these conversations.

“Giving back to our local animal shelters is a wonderful way to celebrate our kitten stars, Waylon and Willie, and the commercial’s 40th anniversary,” said Bob Montgomery-Rice, President and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank. “Our Christmas Kitten commercial is a favorite holiday tradition for those who grew up in this region, so it was heartwarming to give our communities the opportunity of determining which shelters received donations.” 

Additional Maine recipients:  

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland            Portland

Bangor Humane Society                                          Bangor

Franklin County Animal Shelter                              Farmington

Hart of Maine                                                           Cumberland

Humane Society of Waterville                                 Waterville

Mainely Mutts                                                          Kittery

Responsible Pet Care                                               South Paris

The Animal Orphanage                                            Old Town

Waiting Whiskers                                                      Sherman 

Along with the donations, the Bank also released a video that gave a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic TV ads the region has ever seen. Click here to watch the clip, which features Phil Cormier, a TV commercial editor who worked on this ad, The Nite Show’s Danny Cashman, who parodied the commercial, fun trivia, and more.

About Bangor Savings Bank   

Bangor Savings Bank, with more than $6 billion in assets, offers retail banking to consumers as well as comprehensive commercial, corporate, payroll administration, merchant services, and small business banking services to businesses. The Bank, founded in 1852, is in its 169th year with more than 60 branches in Maine and New Hampshire and business offices in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation was created in 1997. Together the Bank and its Foundation invested more than $3.4 million into the community in the form of sponsorships, grants, and partnership initiatives last year. Bangor Savings Bank is an equal opportunity employer and can be found on the Web at www.bangor.com.  Member FDIC.