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(Honesdale, June 22, 2005)…  They may compete for your business, but when it comes to supporting the only hospital in Wayne County, three local banks stand united. The Dime Bank, The Honesdale National Bank and Wayne Bank have agreed jointly to donate $500,000 –about $167,000 each—to Wayne Memorial Hospital’s capital fund drive, Operation Vital Signs.

“I can think of no more compelling cause than Operation Vital Signs to support at this time,” said William Schweighofer, President and Chief Executive Officer of  The Honesdale National Bank. Schweighofer and his counterparts at the two other banks, William W. Davis Jr., CEO and President of Wayne Bank and Gary Beilman, CEO and President of The Dime Bank presented the half-million dollar donation to Henry Skier, Chair of the Hospital’s Foundation Board; Peter Rodgers, Chair of the Wayne Memorial Health System Board; David Hoff, WMHS Chief Executive Officer; and Richard Garman, Executive Director of the Hospital’s Foundation.

“This hospital is a vital part of our community as a healthcare provider and as an employer,” said Schweighofer, “it has to grow as we grow.”  Schweighofer, who is on the Hospital’s Board of Directors and a co-chair of Operation Vital Signs, said all three Honesdale-based banks have a “vested interest” in maintaining quality healthcare in the area. “Donating to Wayne Memorial makes good sense.” 

William—Bill—Davis, Wayne Bank CEO, added, “As the only hospital in Wayne County, Wayne Memorial’s ability to keep pace with advancing technology and with the rapid growth of the population it serves is of paramount importance to all Wayne Countians,” Davis noted. “Our local banks are proud to take a leadership role in helping to make that goal