The SHINE Initiative Hosts 'Keep Your Mind Open'/19th Hole Tournament Attracts Hundreds of Supporters for 'Shining a Light' on Mental Illness

LEOMINSTER, Mass., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The SHINE Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on "shining a light on mental illness," hosted a major fund raising event at the Sheraton Four Points in Leominster on Thursday, October 7. "Keep Your Mind Open" was a unique golf outing that began and finished on the 19th hole and was well attended by more than 225 people and raised a record $53,700 for the organization.

"Keep Your Mind Open" was organized to benefit the SHINE Initiative which develops funding and strategic alliances to improve mental health awareness, research, programming and public policy.  The SHINE Initiative was established in partnership with Fidelity Bank in 2004 when the Bank made the choice to focus half of their annual giving on a single area of need in order to make a real impact. With the help of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Fidelity Bank identified the cause of mental illness as needing corporate leadership and the SHINE Initiative was born.

At Friday evening's "Keep Your Mind Open" event, a Community Service Award for outstanding contribution in support of mental health programs was made to Edward Cronin of Fitchburg, the city's former Chief of Police, who is now retired.

Arlene Betteridge, Executive Director of the SHINE Initiative, commented on Thursday evening's festivities, "This was a record event for the SHINE Initiative and all its supporters.  The turnout was overwhelming as was the generosity of the businesses and individuals who contributed to the event.  I want to thank Ed Manzi and Fidelity Bank for their support in making the 'Keep Your Mind Open' tournament as great success."

The "Keep Your Mind Open" guests were entertained by Frank Foley, a well-known comedian, and the action was brisk around the different raffles and auctions where the grand prizes included a private aerial tour and a vacation condo in Florida. Some notable guests included State Senator Jen Flanagan.

The mission of the SHINE Initiative is to be a leader in the fight against mental illness in children and young adults. In pursuit of this mission, the SHINE Initiative develops funding and strategic alliances to improve mental health awareness, research, programming and public policy. The SHINE Initiative promotes the fact that mental illness is a mainstream issue and that recovery from mental illness is possible.  The SHINE Initiative was organized in 2004 by the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Fidelity Bank.

About Fidelity Bank:

Fidelity Bank – one of the oldest and continually growing independent, local community banks in Central MA – offers  a full range of Banking, Investment and Insurance products and programs, and has full-service offices in Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Millbury, Shirley, and Worcester. Since 1888, the bank has remained committed to businesses, families and individuals in the communities it serves; in turn, loyalty demonstrated by members of those cities and towns has allowed the bank to become one of the strongest financial institutions in the region. Today, Fidelity Bank has total assets of $522 million and a net worth nearly two times the minimum regulatory requirement. The FDIC and the Share Insurance Fund insures all deposits.

For further information, visit www.fidelitybankonline.com or call 800.581.5363.

SOURCE Fidelity Bank