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TowneBank has partnered with Roc Solid Foundation as presenting sponsor of the nonprofit’s Hope Zone, a new event space at their main office dedicated to packing Ready Bags for families fighting pediatric cancer. A virtual grand opening was held on Roc Solid’s Facebook page on April 19.

Participants in the event included Roc Solid’s founder Eric Newman, Phil Smith and Greg Ohmsen from TowneBank and the Griffins, a local family who received a Roc Solid Ready Bag when their daughter Olivia was diagnosed with cancer.

The Hope Zone presented by TowneBank will welcome local civic groups, businesses and other organizations to pack Roc Solid Ready Bags, which are given to families when they first hear the devastating news that their child has cancer. Ready Bags not only include the essential items for unexpected hospital stays, but they also send an impactful message to families that they are not alone as they begin a terrifying journey. With the help of sponsors and volunteers, Roc Solid plans to distribute at least 2,000 Ready Bags this year.

“TowneBank has believed in us since the very beginning,” said Roc Solid Foundation founder and pediatric cancer survivor Eric Newman. “They’ve seen where we started and where we’re going, and we truly appreciate their involvement in this new endeavor that will help us build hope for even more families during one of the worst times of their lives.”

Roc Solid is also known for surprising kids fighting cancer with backyard playsets. TowneBank supports this program — Play It Forward — each year by gathering volunteers to construct a playset for a local child at a backyard build or at their Suffolk campus. TheHope Zone is also sponsored by Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, McCormick Law & Consulting and Sussex Development.