Perkasie-based community bank challenges area residents to commit to save historic South Perkasie Covered Bridge in partnership with Perkasie Historical Society
ย PERKASIE, Pa. (January 2020) โ Penn Community Bank, the largest mutual bank headquartered in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the largest full-time employer in Perkasie Borough, has awarded a $15,000 matching grant to help restore the iconic South Perkasie Covered Bridge, the Perkasie Historical Society and the bank announced today.
โPenn Community Bank is a community-first financial services provider, and our commitment to growth shapes everything we do. Itโs no accident โcommunityโ is our middle name,โ said Jeane M. Vidoni, President and CEO of Penn Community Bank. โWe are grateful to partner with the Perkasie Historical Society, the Borough of Perkasie, and so many area residents to preserve this historic landmark through this dollar-for-dollar matching donation. With your help, we can save the South Perkasie Covered Bridge.โ
“The Perkasie Historical Society appreciates all that Penn Community Bank does to help foster community spirit and to preserve the heritage and character of Perkasie,โ said Louise Doll, Vice President of the Perkasie Historical Society. โThe Society is keeping the vision of those foresighted community leaders who, in 1958, worked so hard to save the bridge for us, and for our children.”
Under the gift conditions, Penn Community will provide a one-to-one match of donations to the project to fix the bridge and make it an outdoor museum, starting now and ending when the $15,000 match is met by other contributors.
Perkasie Borough, the Perkasie Historical Society and the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society have combined to raise funds and manage the โSave the South Perkasie Covered Bridgeโ project. The goal is to raise $100,000 by March 1, 2020, to qualify for a $100,000 state grant. The projectโs total cost is estimated at $200,000.
The South Perkasie Covered Bridge, built in 1832, is Americaโs seventh-oldest covered bridge, and the oldest in Bucks County. The bridge is widely recognizedย as the icon of Perkasie Borough and the surrounding Pennridge community. Moved from its original location in South Perkasie to Lenape Park in 1959, the bridge now serves as a walking bridge and memorial. Age and site failure have caused the historic bridge to lean severely to one side, however repairs will straighten and stabilize the bridge using historically correct methods.
Those businesses, non-profits and people interested in project support can learn more about the project at www.savethebridge.com. All project donations should be sent to the Perkasie Historical Society. Donation information is available at https://savethebridge.com/donate-now/.
About Penn Community:ย Penn Community Bank holds more than $2 billion in assets, employs more than 350 people, and offers banking, lending and investments at 24 bank financial centers and two administrative centers throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to provide financial resources to individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.
About the Perkasie Historical Society: Perkasie Historical Society, founded in 1954, strives to help preserve the history of Perkasie Borough. Perkasie is located approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia. This volunteer organization relies on the support of the community as it cares for the four historic venues: the South Perkasie Covered Bridge, the Perkasie Carousel, Perkasie Museum and the Stout Family Cemetery.
