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ATHENS, PA – Citizens & Northern Bank’s Giving Back, Giving Together program is designed to strengthen our local communities by supporting programs that enrich the lives of our neighbors. Each November, “GBGT” holds a Facebook contest to give members of our community a chance to recognize those who are dedicated to the cause.

C&N’s 2018 campaign focuses on Literacy and Public Libraries. We have partnered with 23 local public libraries to raise funds and volunteer to help them obtain the training and provisions necessary to provide this valuable service to our community.

The “Thank a Local Literacy Advocate” Facebook contest began on November 5th and ran through November 26th. Members of the community could nominate someone who they felt selflessly went above and beyond to promote literacy and reading in the community. The comment with the most likes on November 26th was named the winner and would receive $250 for themselves and $250 for a charity of their choice.

Penny White was nominated by Ashley White in the following post:

“My thank you would be to Penny White- her love for reading has led her to inspire, motivate, and of course, read books for the last 42 years with children from Kindergarten to 5th grade. I believe it is best when a person “practices what they preach” and Mrs. White does just this- She is an avid reader who prefers a good book over a movie any day. Her kids see her as role model and her love for reading can be seen in them. Staying up with the times, she used a popular song and made it into one about reading on her bulletin board … (Kiki – Are you reading?). Countless times she has used reading to make kids see the best in mankind.

She loves the book, Thank you Mr. Falker and her kids surely do too. A story about the magic of reading even when you struggle- again, a true testament to her enthusiasm to help kids learn to read and love to read. Mrs. White also has a love for animals (cats) and she and several of her students would go to humane shelter to read to cats- this was a way to build confidence in her young readers, gain practice, and make them feel “safe” because after all they were just cats. School led initiatives to bring in authors and illustrators are always supported by Mrs. White- From Ted Arnold (Elmira native) to Will Hillabrand and Maureen Wright. For Christmas all her kids get a book rather than a toy. I could go on and on, but I know the children who have had Mrs. White probably know something about Island of the Blue Dolphin, Rascal or A Dogs Life and so many more. Mrs. White believes in the magic of reading and the special world it opens for her kids.”

Ashley’s nomination received 56 likes and was named the winner. C&N’s Stacey Sickler brought lunch and presented the checks to Penny, who chose The Lisa Hawken Foundation as her charity of choice.

C&N would like to congratulate Penny White and thank her for her tireless pursuit of advocating for literacy and the importance of reading throughout her community.

Citizens & Northern Bank is a local, independent community bank providing complete financial, investment and insurance services through 26 full service offices located throughout Cameron, Potter, McKean, Tioga, Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming counties in Pennsylvania and Steuben County, NY. C&N’s most recently opened Elmira, NY loan production office offers commercial, residential and consumer lending services. C&N can be found on the worldwide web at www.cnbankpa.com. The Company’s stock is listed on NASDAQ Capital Market Securities under the symbol CZNC.