The First National Bank of Suffield recently won a silver award in public relations from the New England Financial Marketing Association (NEFMA). On September 26, the Bank was honored for its sponsorship of the Suffield Pan-Mass Challenge Kids Ride.

The Bank has proudly sponsored the Suffield PMC Ride since its inception in 2012. In May 2013, 98 kids between the ages of 3 and 16 rode their bikes to raise $13,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund.

Nancy Viggiano, president of the Bank, said, “We are especially pleased to sponsor this event because it not only raises funds for a worthy cause, it helps kids in our community experience the importance and rewards of philanthropy.”

The NEFMA award recognizes initiatives that are geared specifically toward creating a public relations campaign for a financial institution’s mission, financial education, community involvement or civic engagement. Earlier in 2013, NEFMA sought out the best in New England bank and credit union marketing initiatives, and the entries were independently judged by community bank and marketing company professionals outside the region.