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Pioneer’s Grand Carnival Scales New Heights in ‘Helping Kids be Kids’: 900 Attendees, $60,000 Raised to Assist Local Children in Need



The signature event conducted by the Pioneer Charitable Foundation has raised more than $175,000 over five years, directly supporting 175 Capital Region nonprofits

Albany, NY – Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBFS) (“Pioneer”), a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, today hosted its fifth annual Grand Carnival, welcoming 900 children, adults and families to Pioneer Plaza, and raising more than $60,000 to help local children in need.

The signature event conducted by the Pioneer Charitable Foundation, the Grand Carnival offers games, activities, food and fun for the entire family. Now in its fifth year, the event has collectively raised more than $175,000 to assist area nonprofit organizations that serve the health and welfare of local children, supporting the foundation’s mission of “Helping Kids be Kids.” 

“The Grand Carnival is always one of the highlights of the year at Pioneer,” said Pioneer President and CEO Tom Amell. “It is heartwarming to see children smiling and families enjoying time together, and humbling to know that amid the fun, we are raising money to support kids in our own community who need a helping hand.” 

From carnival games, face and pumpkin painting, and sand art to magic shows and a kids’ dance contest, the Grand Carnival included a host of family-friendly activities. In addition, radio station B95.5 FM provided entertainment throughout the event, which was held under a large tent in the parking lot of Pioneer’s headquarters.

The Premier Sponsor of Pioneer’s Grand Carnival was Pediatric Dental Group of New York. Entertainment Sponsors were Davco Masonry, FIS, Harris Beach PLLC, Hodgson Russ LLP, and Mastercard. Cookie Truck Sponsors were Earl B. Feiden Appliance, Janitronics Facility Services, and Wainschaf Associates. 

Game & Activity Sponsors included Belmonte Builders, Bette Companies, Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC, Carls Cab, DePaula Auto Group, Dwight Plumbing and Heating, Guardian Windshield, Luizzi Companies, Machnick Builders LTD, Marcella’s Appliances, MEMASI, NAI Platform Realty Group, Next Generation Roofing, and Ross Concrete Management. “Helping Kids be Kids” Sponsors were Bella Napoli Italian Bakery, Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, CKM Electrical Services Inc., East Coast Power LLC, Galesi Group, Goldstein Auto Group, NAVCO, Mackey Electric Inc., Maney & Powis PC, Monaco Cooper Lamme & Carr PLLC, Morgan Linen Service, Ravenswood Pub, Sterling Environmental PC, Ted’s Fish Fry, and WPNT Construction. 

The Pioneer Charitable Foundation has surpassed more than $1.6 million in giving, and exceeded 16,000 employee volunteer hours, since it was established in 2018. Funding has been provided to more than 400 local nonprofits that supply housing, nutrition, or health care, and/or educational, social and recreational programs, supporting the Foundation’s mission of “Helping Kids be Kids.” In addition, Pioneer underwrites all operational costs, so 100% of money raised helps local children, families and organizations in need.

“It is so exciting to see children and families enjoying a great day together at our annual Grand Carnival,” said Susan Hollister, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer and Co-Chair of the Pioneer Charitable Foundation. “This is not only a day our employees work hard to make possible, but also one they take pride in, knowing their efforts are helping vulnerable children in the Capital Region.”   

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