Community Bank N.A.’s Oneida and Cazenovia branches recently helped kickoff the 2019 Empire State Winter Games as part of an Olympic-style torch relay across New York state.
The games’ torch was welcomed to both branches with a celebration hosted by bank team members and included a hot cocoa bar, games and giveaways. In addition, local ESWG athlete Alex Tooker of Oneida joined the celebration to help welcome the torch; Tooker will be competing in the 2019 Games as an alpine skier and is currently ranked 17th in the state for the sport.
“Our branches were thrilled to take place in the 2019 torch relay to help kickoff this year’s Empire State Winter Games,” said Community Bank N.A. District Manager Barbara Houghton. “The games are a chance to celebrate our state’s love of winter sports and cheer on local participants. We’re looking forward to the games getting under way and wish all participants the best of luck.”
The torch relay took two routes across the state; the two routes started from New York City and Buffalo, met in Malone and finished in Lake Placid. Oneida was one of eight participating Community Bank N.A. branches to take part in the relay. The other branch stops included Gowanda, Waterloo, Potsdam, Ticonderoga, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.
The 2019 Empire State Winter Games take place in Lake Placid Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 and are expected to have more than 2,300 athletes from all ages participate. Community Bank N.A. will serve as the event’s title sponsor for the third consecutive year.
For more information on the 2019 Empire State Winter Games, visit empirestatewintergames.com. For more information about Community Bank N.A., visit cbnanews.com.