Rollstone Bank & Trust, through its charitable foundation, has donated $1,000 to the Fitchburg Police Department’s R.A.D program. The funds will help the department provide a self defense program for women and a safety and empowerment program for kids.

R.A.D. for Women is a self defense program for women, which began in 1989. The Fitchburg police department first offered it in 2010, and it was a huge success. r.a.d.KIDS gives children the skills they need to protect themselves from crimes such as abuse, abduction and bullying. It will be offered to Fitchburg’s elementary students as an after-school program.

"The R.A.D. programs are proven to work and are well-received by everyone that attends," said Martin F. Connors Jr., president and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust. "Giving back to the community is a priority for us at RBT. We donate to a variety of worthy causes in our area, and are happy we were able to help the police department with this initiative."