Fiddlers Restrung Backed by $3,500 Donation from Bank of Ann Arbor

Social media skeptics beware! Being digitally connected may be more than just a casual amusement. Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sweet 15 Local Charity Drive and Friends of Fiddlers ReStrung demonstrated that social media friends can come together around a common goal that celebrates achievement and benefits a worthy cause.

On a recent evening in Saline, Walt Byers, Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Bank of Ann Arbor, presented a check for $3,500 to Friends of Fiddlers ReStrung in recognition of their coming in seventh place in the bank’s Sweet 15 Local Charity Drive. 

Margaret Westfall, chairman of the 501(c)3 organization created to support Fiddlers ReStrung, accepted the check on behalf of the foundation’s board and an appreciative Fiddlers ReStrung performing entourage. Also accepting the check with Margaret Westfall were Friends of Fiddlers ReStrung board members David Fike, Joyce Noble, Margo Douthat and Karen Frank.

Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sweet 15 Local Charity Drive combined Bank of Ann Arbor's long time support for the non-profit community with the celebration of its 15-year anniversary. The drive was a Facebook application created to donate up to $75,000 to 15 local non-profit organizations. Facebook users were invited to “Like” Bank of Ann Arbor’s Facebook page and then vote for a favorite charity from a list of 600 local charities.In round one of the contest to select the 15 charities to receive donations, more than 76,000 votes were cast for 399 nonprofits by almost 14,000 Facebook users. A round two contest to decide the final allocation of funds was so enthusiastically received the competition ended six weeks earlier than originally planned. Total voting for round one and two of the contest exceeded 113,000 votes. 

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of the nonprofit organizations and to everyone who voted—especially those who voted many times over—and spread the Sweet 15 word in support of your favorite nonprofit organization,” said Timothy Marshall, President and CEO of Bank of Ann Arbor. “The enthusiasm and passion displayed by the community for our local nonprofits has been overwhelming as evidenced by the total number of votes cast.”

Bank of Ann Arbor is a locally owned and operated bank with total assets and assets under management of over $1.4 billion, serving people and businesses in the Ann Arbor area with offices in downtown Ann Arbor and across the community as well as Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti and Plymouth.  The website is www.boaa.com.

Fiddlers ReStrung is a 21-piece string ensemble featured at over 80 performances annually consisting of students at Saline High School, all of whom share in producing a unique ensemble truly their own. The organization is officially sponsored and supported by Saline Area Schools and Saline Community Education.  Students are chosen based not only on musical talent, but personal maturity as well as balancing a demanding performance schedule while maintaining high standards in other school activities, sports, and academics.

For additional information on Fiddlers ReStrung, please contact Rebecca Groeb-Driskill Cultural Arts Specialist, Saline Area Schools at (734) 429-8020 or visit the website www.fiddlersrestrung.com.