Patriot Federal Credit Union donated $20,000 toward The Institute’s capital campaign to create a new nature center near Waynesboro. Left to right: Mary Cordell, Patriot’s Sr. VP Business Loan Officer; Holly Miller, Patriot’s Sr. Branch Manager; Tracy Holliday, Institute executive director; Renee Preso, Patriot’s Sr. VP Retail Services; Jim Fleagle, Institute board president; and Patriot’s John Kilduff, Corporate Affairs Officer.

WAYNESBORO—Patriot Federal Credit Union has donated $20,000 in support of The Institute’s capital campaign to create a new nature center near Waynesboro, Pa.

The Institute purchased a 40-acre rural property in Washington Township with plans to transform the property into a nature education center and living classroom for both students and the greater Waynesboro community.

Patriot Federal Credit Union has a tradition of support of their local communities.

“It’s exciting to be part of a journey that will help generations of students and residents in the Cumberland Valley region become stewards of nature and lifelong learners in an outdoor living classroom,” said John Kilduff, Corporate Affairs Officer at Patriot.

“At Patriot, we believe in the philosophy of ‘people helping people,’” Kilduff said. “This project will ensure that countless people in the future have a place to explore, discover and enjoy nature and the arts. That’s something Patriot is very proud to be a part of.”

Established in 1965, Patriot Federal Credit Union serves over 77,000 members locally and worldwide with mobile banking services, internet home banking, and over 55,000 ATMs worldwide. Patriot operates ten full-service branches and a student branch inside the Chambersburg Area Senior High School, plus 20 SMART ATMs serving Franklin County (Pa.), Washington and Frederick counties (Md.), and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia (Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson counties). Anyone who lives, attends school, worships, works or conducts business in those areas is eligible to join the credit union.

“We’re grateful for Patriot Federal’s enthusiastic support of our campaign,” said Tracy Holliday, Institute executive director. “Their partnership since 2001 has helped The Institute provide loved family events such as Halloween Stories and Youth Festival. This gift will help elevate our efforts to serve the regional community with valued programming from our delightful new home.”

A nonprofit organization, The Institute provides programming in environmental education and cultural history for area school children, plus a variety of workshops, lectures and programs for all ages. In addition, the organization hosts several free community events annually.

The Institute has raised $2.5 million toward their $3 million goal. Work on the property will be done in phases. Small-scale activities are already underway at the property, and it will be fully open to the public upon completion of the bridge.

For more information about The Institute and how you may support the campaign, contact The Institute at 717-762-0373 or via email: [email protected].