Tompkins Community Bank and The Legacy Foundation Recognize Local Volunteers

ITHACA, NY (June 13, 2024) – Tompkins Community Bank (Tompkins) recently honored nine individuals and groups with the James J. Byrnes Awards for Excellence, in recognition of their outstanding service to the community. The awardees each selected a not-for-profit organization to donate to; as a result, the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County, which oversees the bank’s endowment fund, donated nearly $12,000 to local charities.

The 2024 James J. Byrnes Awards for Excellence honorees are:

• Darrell Harrington, for his work to found and run Be Kind Ithaca.
• Linda Glabach, for her immense humanitarian contributions.
• Carmen Guidi, for his aid with housing and food insecurities.
• William Maxwell, for his innate humanitarianism and dedication to our region.
• Jean Owens and the Enfield Food Pantry, for striving to build a future where hunger is eradicated in Tompkins County.
• Encore Players Community Theater, for providing a low-cost creative outlet.
• The Love Living at Home volunteers, for their dedication to assisting older adults.
• The Sophie Fund, for their efforts in supporting mental health and suicide prevention.
• The Volunteers of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ithaca and Tompkins County, for their work to ignite the power and promise of youth.

“Recognizing the extraordinary contributions of members of our community is one of our cornerstones as a community bank,” said Johanna Anderson, president, Tompkins Central New York. “It’s so inspiring to see these individuals’ dedication to improving Tompkins County through volunteerism, arts, education and more. We are proud to honor and support the work of this year’s recipients through the Legacy Foundation.”

Tompkins’ Awards for Excellence initiative was established during the bank’s 150th anniversary celebration in 1986 to share the company’s success with community members who have helped to enrich the quality of life in Tompkins County. In 2014, the program was renamed the James J. Byrnes Awards for Excellence to honor the retirement of Jim Byrnes, a longtime Ithaca resident and leader of Tompkins Financial Corporation.

Administered by the Legacy Foundation, a local not-for-profit endowment fund, the awards program has recognized more than 290 individuals and groups since 1986, contributing more than $397,000 to the Tompkins County community.

About Tompkins

Founded in 1836, Tompkins Community Bank serves the Central, Western, and Hudson Valley regions of New York, and the Southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Through their unique local decision-making model, the bank offers personalized service and exceptional responsiveness, while delivering a broad range of products and services for consumers and businesses. Insurance services are offered through Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and wealth management services are available through Tompkins Financial Advisors. Further information is available at www.tompkinsbank.com.

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Editor’s Note: Pictured, from left to right, are Donna George, Cassie Besemer, Ann Lemley, Jim Darnieder, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Michael Thomas, Johanna Anderson, Rik George, Linda Glabach, Phyllis Rappaport and Esther Racoosin.