Donations to the Pentucket Bank Merrimack Valley Gas/Fire Relief Fund are accepted by sending checks to the North Andover branch. (File photograph)
The Haverhill-based Pentucket Bank is coming to the aid of Merrimack Valley residents affected by last week’s gas-related fires in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence.
Bank CEO Scott Cote announced the creation of the fund on Monday.
“Our hearts go out to the residents and businesses that have been impacted in any way as a result of the gas explosions,” Cote said. “The Pentucket Bank family is committed to assisting our neighbors in the North Andover, Lawrence and Andover communities as they begin to make sense of this disaster and work towards recovery.”
Petucket Bank seeded the fund with an initial $25,000 donation, Cote said.
“We feel that providing assistance is not only part of our mission as a local, community-minded institution, but it is our obligation as human beings to help one another during a time of need,” he added.
Donations to the Merrimack Valley Gas/Fire Relief Fund may be made by mailing checks to 1065 Osgood St., North Andover, MA 01845.
Funds will be dispersed to the Essex County Community Foundation. Governor Charlie Baker this week announced that the same foundation plans to oversee an official disaster relief fund to coordinate recovery efforts and provide resources for neighbors in need. The fund should begin accepting intake applications by the end of the week, Baker’s office said.