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EDITOR’S NOTE: This report has been updated to clarify that the donated swimsuits are to be given away to children in need, not loaned out temporarily.
MARTINS FERRY -- Unified Bank in Martins Ferry donated funds last week so that the Veterans Memorial Center, also known as the Martins Ferry Rec Center, can give free swimsuits to children who don’t have them.
Lisa Bell, who oversees the swimming pool at the rec center, said the center has 50 swimsuits in all sizes and genders available for any children in need.
Bell said she had seen some children get into the pool with their clothes on. When she asked them if they had brought swimsuits, the children said that they did not own any.
Bell said she later ran into Don Feenerty, marketing and community development executive at Unified Bank, and told him about the situation.
After discussing the issue with management, Feenerty took Bell to Walmart on June 15 to buy a wide variety of swimsuits to give to the children to keep.
Bell said that any children who need a swimsuit can come to see her at the rec center.
"I just love to give back to people. I volunteer at the Daily Bread Center, so I'm used to giving back," Bell said.
Mayor John Davies posted on Facebook, "Unified Bank is a great partner for the City of Martins Ferry. They are so generous to the residents with everything from the lights on the ball field, splash pad, breakfast with the Easter Bunny, fireworks celebration in the park, turf for the splash pad and now help to make sure our youth and less fortunate can enjoy the same things as everyone else does."
The Martins Ferry Rec Center is located at 401 S. Fourth St. in Martins Ferry.
For more information about the rec center, call 740-633-2876 or visit the Martins Ferry Recreation Center Facebook page.