“Community is one of Washington Trust’s core values,” said Ned Handy, president and chief operating officer of Rhode Island’s oldest and largest bank, was saying last Thursday morning inside the company’s newest branch at 1381 Atwood Ave. in Johnston. “Our success hinges on the importance we place on being a part of every community we serve.”

Handy, who was joined by Chairman and CEO Joseph J. MarcAurele, Senior Vice President for Retail Banking Deb Gormley and Daniel P. Orovitz, assistant vice president and branch manager, went on: “We accomplish that by working with people and organizations that make those communities a great place to live.”

Handy then announced that The Autism Project has been chosen as the bank’s first Johnston-based community partner.

He introduced Joanne G. Quinn, executive director of The Autism Project, and with top Washington Trust officials looking on presented her with a check for $1,000 that will be used by the highly-regarded non-profit.

“We are honored to be the first Community Partner for Washington Trust’s newest branch,” Quinn told a gathering that included bank executives and Johnston’s political and business leaders. “We use these donations to support our programs for children and teens.”

And one of those highly important programs, as Quinn later explained, includes social groups and a summer camp.

“Many of our families receive a campership for our summer camp,” Quinn noted. “It is our mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. We do this through extensive consultation and training for professionals, support and education for family members and direct services of social groups and summer camp.”

Quinn, who was obviously elated with Washington Trust’s generous gift, went on: “We Love Washington Trust Company. On behalf of Jonathan Roderick, our chairman of the board [and a Washington Trust employee], we are grateful to the bank for their great support and in particular this great gift.”

She also announced that The Autism Project’s next big event is a National Speaker Conference scheduled for Sept. 30. Quinn said the non-profit will host Dr. Ross Green, who is an expert on collaborative problem solving.

The Autism Project is located at 1516 Atwood Ave. in Johnston. People who’d like to offer their support and others that may be interested in finding out more about the group and its many programs should call 401-785-2666.