SKOWHEGAN — Skowhegan Savings recently announced a gift of $10,000 to the Belgrade Lakes Association Stop Milfoil Campaign, according to a Skowhegan Savings press release. The campaign, a joint effort of the Belgrade Lakes Association, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, the Congress of Lakes Association and the Maine Lakes Resource Center, seeks to raise a total of $500,000 over a three-year effort to stop the spread of milfoil. Milfoil is an invasive plant that spreads quickly once introduced to a new environment.

“The StopMilfoil Campaign is absolutely critical to the health of the lakes in our community, as well as the health of the local economy,” John Witherspoon, Skowhegan Savings President and CEO, said in the release. “Skowhegan Savings is committed to investing in projects that benefit our community members, and the Stop Milfoil Campaign certainly falls into that category.”

The financial institution has been a dedicated partner in various Belgrade watershed preservation projects.

“Skowhegan Savings continues to be a great partner in the Belgrade Lakes community,” Mark Heuberger, co-chair of the StopMilfoil Campaign, said in the release. “The bank has provided key support for the StopMilfoil Campaign through its participation in the Milfoil Task Force and the Belgrade Lakes Region Business Group. The generous gift from Skowhegan Savings Bank announced today will help ensure our future success in preventing the spread of milfoil in our lakes.”

Skowhegan Savings’ charitable giving program makes donations to both large and small local non-profit and charity organizations. To apply for funding, visit www.skowhegansavings.com/about-charity.htm.