Stronger neighbors, stronger communities. Even while at home, First State Bank and its team members have remained committed to supporting the community. Virtual opportunities provided ways to actively volunteer our time and resources to local non-profit organizations, even while staying safer at home.
First State Bank employees have been able to contribute to the community while staying safer at home. The Bank has teamed up with Fleece & Thank You during this time of crisis to make blankets to bring comfort to children in Michigan hospitals. Blanket-making is a great exercise for families to do at home together and feel a sense of purpose during this time.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit Michigan, First State Bank and Fleece & Thank You were already planning events to support the community-based nonprofit in its efforts. When it became necessary to stay home, the two organizations opted to think outside of the box to make the “partnership” work. “This is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves during a time when we are all experiencing disconnection,” said Nicholas Kristock, Founder and Executive Director of Fleece & Thank You. “The isolation we’re feeling now is just a fraction of the experience a child in the hospital has during their treatment journey.”
First State Bank employees were able to use paid volunteer time at home in order to make a total of 50 blankets for Fleece & Thank You, headquartered in Farmington Hills. Fleece & Thank You specializes in making fleece blankets with personal video messages to deliver to children in hospitals all around Michigan and Northern Ohio. Inside Michigan, there is an average of 30,000 children every year that face hospital treatments, so the organization’s goal is to make 30,000 blankets, to make sure every child gets the comfort they deserve.
Many First State Bank employees found a way to stay active and connected
– from a safe distance – by participating in a Virtual 5K to benefit
Leader Dogs for the Blind
. Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind, visually impaired
or Deaf-Blind with skills for a lifetime of independent travel, opening
doors that may seem to have closed with the loss of sight.
The month-long #LDB5K virtual race was launched on April 29 in recognition
of International Guide Dog Day. First State Bank supported this
virtual event by reimbursing the $40 registration fee for employees
who took part. Numerous First State Bank employees got active to support
the charity, registering to walk, run, bike, swim, or even skip the
3.1 miles!
When
Friends of Foster Kids
had to cancel their annual charity golf classic fundraiser, the Macomb
Kiwanis started a can and bottle drive to help the organization make
up for their loss in donations. Team members from First State Bank
were happy to lend a hand, working to collect cans and bottles on the
organization’s behalf.
Via a variety of initiatives, Friends of Foster Kids, a Macomb county
non-profit, works to help the foster children in the community.