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In celebration of the Holiday Season, all Community State Bank locations will be closed on Christmas Eve (12/24/2024), and Christmas Day (12/25/2024). On behalf of everyone at Community State Bank, we would like to wish our friends and neighbors a very "Merry Christmas!" We look forward to serving you in the New Year.

#Gift2Giving: Burlington's Life Choices Paving the Way for Success

CSB's KRAUSE SHARES STORY, SUPPORTS MISSION through #gift2giving campaign

BURLINGTON – Twenty-four years ago, Community State Bank’s Molly Krause was pregnant and scared, but she wasn’t alone.

“I had a village,” Krause said. “It was a small village, but nonetheless a village. I had family and friends to support me, a house to bring my baby home to and a spouse that was there to help.”

Many aren’t as fortunate.

Life Choices, a nonprofit based in Burlington, helps individuals seeking pregnancy and parenting-related resources while protecting life through spiritual, physical and emotional support.

“I knew nothing about caring for a child, let alone caring for an infant who was going to depend on me for everything,” Krause said. “I had no idea what I was doing or how this whole mother thing worked.”

In support of Life Choices and its mission, Krause recruited four of her Community State Bank co-workers to join her in donating through the bank’s seventh annual #Gift2Giving employee-driven donation drive.

Life Choices is one of 17 area nonprofits chosen as a recipient of over $15,000 raised through the campaign.

Community State Bank gives each of its employees $150 to donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice. In addition to the bank-provided funds, Community State Bank matches any employee donation up to $150.

“It was wonderful,” Life Choices Executive Director Renee Meinholz said. “Many have referred to us as one of the community’s best kept secrets.

“We’re trying not to be a secret. We want to spread the word. We’re here as a support system and a toolbox for our families.”

The group’s Monday night “Mighty Mom’s” class empowers and encourages women to be the best moms they can be by providing classes on parenting, pregnancy, financial literacy and relationship building.

It’s been so successful, Life Choices is adding a Tuesday night “Fearless Fatherhood” class in January.

“We have to get our men involved,” Meinholz said. “It takes two. Even if they’re not together, they’re still part of the parenting journey and we want to give them the skills necessary to succeed.”

Krause was joined by coworkers Natalie Strasser, Katielynn Olszewski, Katie Weis, Jody Vollmer and Brian Lois in their #Gift2Giving donation.

“I was really pleased they chose us,” Meinholz said. “We were able to give them a tour and let them see what we do here.”

To read more about Community State Bank’s #Gift2Giving campaign, visit www.csb.bank/gift2giving.