BELFAST — With Giving Season in full swing, a group of Bank of America teammates in Belfast are stitching together warmth and gratitude for Maine’s military veterans. 

The "Knit Wits," a knitting and crocheting club made up of over 20 Bank of America teammates, spend their breaks needling away to make blankets, shawls, and other knitted wear for Maine’s military veterans. Started by Joanna Deetjen and Dawna-Jean Turchon in 2009, the group has since donated over 800 blankets and 1,700 hats to local veteran organizations and nonprofits around the state.  

Every Christmas day, these Bank of America teammates distribute their bundles of care to Togus VA Medical Center and the Bangor VA Clinic. Fostered by a supportive work culture, what began as a hobby has turned into an annual tradition cherished by both the Knit Wits and the veterans they serve, culminating in the heartwarming visits during the holiday season.  

“Our group’s mission is to bring joy, comfort, and thanks to our honored veterans with handcrafted goods that provide warmth and a sense of home,” said Joanna Deetjen, co-founder of the Knit Wits, in a Bank of America news release. “We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the lives of those who have given so much for our freedom. The smiles, tears, and stories shared during the visits are a true testament of the profound impact that these small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others.” 

“At Bank of America we understand that America’s military veterans, service members, and families are a pivotal part of our communities, and we have a longstanding commitment to honoring them,” said Brian King, president, Bank of America Maine. “As we enter Giving Season, we are inspired by the Knit Wits’ commitment and compassion to veterans, setting an example to us all.”  

Bank of America is dedicated to veteran hiring, financial education, and targeted programs and resources to ensure that teammates have stable, long-lasting careers. In addition, the bank partners with military nonprofits across the country to help veterans face the unique challenges they might experience at home. The company has donated more than 2,600 homes nationwide to military veteran-support charities and other nonprofit community-based organizations.   

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).