On April 2nd, the Worcester Red Sox kicked off their highly anticipated season with a spectacular Opening Day, and Country Bank was at the forefront of the excitement as the official founding partner of the Woo Sox, on site at Polar park to roll out some opening day fun. It was a day filled with camaraderie, community spirit, and of course, plenty of baseball magic!

As fans flooded into the stadium, they were greeted by the sight of Country Bank’s vibrant presence in the concourse. Our team had set up a table filled with exciting prizes and custom jersey giveaways, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. With a whole array of spin-to-win Country Bank branded memorabilia, there was something for everyone to take home as a token of our appreciation!

But the excitement didn’t stop there. Buck, the beloved mascot of Country Bank, joined the ranks of other iconic mascots in a spirited parade on the field during the opening ceremonies. Decked out in his signature attire, Buck brought smiles to the faces of fans young and old as he danced and interacted with the crowd.

Sadly on the morning of Opening Day April 2nd, Larry Lucchino Worcester Red Sox founder and Chairman passed away. He was honored on the field with a Umass Life Flight fly over and special recognition ceremony.

Jodie Gerulaitus, Vice President of Community Relations and Shelley Regin, Senior Vice President of Marketing, representatives of Country Bank, proudly stood on the field during the opening ceremonies, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to the Worcester Red Sox and the vibrant community of Worcester we call home. As the crowd erupted in applause, it was a poignant moment that underscored the strong partnership between Country Bank and the Worcester Red Sox.

But beyond the excitement of the game itself, Opening Day was a celebration of the enduring bond between our bank and the community of Worcester, where we continue to serve and grow a home. It was a testament to the power of collaboration, unity, and shared passion for our hometown team. As the cheers echoed throughout the stadium, it was clear that together, we were not just spectators, but active participants in writing the next chapter of Worcester’s rich baseball legacy.

As the season unfolds, Country Bank remains committed to supporting the Worcester Red Sox every step of the way. Whether it’s cheering from the stands, sponsoring community events, or engaging with fans, we are proud to be part of this incredible journey.

So here’s to a season filled with thrilling victories, unforgettable memories, and countless moments of joy. Go WooSox, and go Country Bank – together, we’re hitting it out of the park!

Check out our photo slideshow below!

The annual campaign focuses on increasing Americans’ financial confidence through getting a clear view on their finances and identifying new strategies to meet their spending and saving goals.

Country Bank is a proud participant in America Saves Week, an annual national campaign that encourages and empowers individuals, families, employers, and communities to check-in on their finances. The campaign focuses on several important topics that make up your financial landscape with a realistic economic approach, including saving for emergencies and unexpected expenses, leveraging automatic savings, retirement, and reducing debt; as well as more niche topics like talking to your family about money, understanding your employer’s financial wellbeing benefits, and the mental and emotional effects of financial stress. The 2024 theme for the campaign is “Saving for What Matters Most,” and takes place from April 8th through the 12th

As a participating bank of America Saves Week, Country Bank will be distributing educational resources on their social media accounts, in their retail banking locations and encouraging customers to have conversations with their “difference makers” this week in their banking locations about all the things their family is saving for as part of America Saves Week.

“With so many Americans still feeling the financial distress from the pandemic, this national conversation is timely and needed. We look forward to supporting our community in gaining better savings habits and getting key strategies that enhance their financial wellness journey,” shares a representative from ASW.

Since 2007 America Saves Week, coordinated by America Saves and its partners, has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. Through the support of thousands of participating organizations, together we encourage our local communities to do a financial check in to get a clear view of your money story and saving behaviors. The America Saves pledge is the online tool that allows savers to set a goal, and make a plan to achieve better financial stability

Think Like a Saver Podcast:

Episode 1: Creative Ways to Save

Episode 2: How Do I Pay Down Debt?

Episode 3: Ready to Think Like a Saver?

Episode 4: 5 Ways to Make Saving Easier

Episode 5: Saving In Spite of Inflation

Episode 6: Buying Your First Home

Episode 7: Paying for Education

Episode 8: How Emotions Influence Your Money Habits

Episode 9: Getting A Clear View of Your Finances

Episode 10: How to Start Saving

What is Credit for Life?

Credit for Life Fair is a financial literacy exercise where high school seniors are asked to make decisions on how to spend their money. Students role-play the position of a 25-year old adult with a career, a salary, and a credit score.   They are assigned a mock checking and savings account balance and possibly a student loan payment, depending on the career choice they selected.   Based on their mock salary, they must make decisions that affect their finances, such as renting an apartment on their own or having a roommate, buying or leasing a vehicle, purchasing furniture, and saving for their retirement. There is a booth set up for each financial decision the students will have to make. Our goal for the students is to have a better understanding of their future fiscal responsibilities.  We teach them about balancing a budget and making choices about their finances. They also learn how one financial choice can greatly impact another.

One of the most important booths at the Credit for Life Fair is the credit score booth. We use this booth to educate the students on what a credit score is and how their future will be impacted with a low, medium, or high credit score.  Students are given a completely random credit score at the very beginning of the fair which will greatly affect their experience.

Lastly, credit counselors will review each student’s final budget one-on-one to ensure solvency or to help students learn how to live within their means. Managing their own budget and seeing the actual cost of things will leave students with a whole new perspective on real-life financial management.

This year alone, Credit for Life will reach over 2,000 students from 13 local high schools.

If you would like more information about Credit for Life, please contact Jodie Gerulaitis, Vice President, Community Relations, at 1-800-322-8233, ext. 2024.