Columbia Bank Awards Over $100K To Freehold Nonprofits

FREEHOLD, NJ — Columbia Bank has awarded over $100,000 in grants to local organizations ahead of their acquisition of Freehold Bank on Saturday.

Prior to the acquisition taking place, Columbia Bank and the Columbia Bank Foundation teamed up to identify 18 Freehold organizations to award grants to.

Grant funds will be used to support food insecurity, housing initiatives, medical aid, and community development in the Freehold area.

“Columbia Bank is thrilled to welcome Freehold Bank to its family,” said Thomas J. Kemly, the president and CEO of Columbia Bank and president of the Columbia Bank Foundation.

“Both organizations share a commitment to excellent customer service, superior products, and to giving back," Kemly continued. "Through this acquisition, we’ll introduce new branches and ATM locations with added products and services, paired with the same friendly faces from both teams.”

Through their awarded grants, Columbia Bank and the Columbia Bank Foundation said they're aiming to show their commitment to the Freehold community and continue their goal of empowering local organizations.

“Freehold Bank is pleased to have partnered with Columbia Bank during this acquisition,” said James Wainwright, the president and CEO of Freehold Bank. “Our combined team will offer customers an elevated banking experience, alongside the same community banking values many customers have come to love.”

Grant recipients include:

• Monmouth County Historical Association
• CentraState Healthcare Foundation
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Foodstock
• Freehold Area Open Door
• 180 Turning Lives Around
• Downtown Freehold
• Freehold First Aid & Emergency Squad
• Freehold Fire Department
• East Freehold Fire Company
• Freehold Independent Fire Company #1
• Emergency Housing & Advocacy Program Inc.
• Knights of Columbus Freehold, NJ Council #1672
• Freehold Elks NJ Lodge #1454
• American Legion Post 54 Freehold
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4374 Freehold
• Monmouth Conservation Foundation
• YMCA of Greater Monmouth County