Annual drive raises over $15,000 for 17 local organizations
UNION GROVE – Community State Bank’s annual #Gift2Giving employee-driven donation campaign raises thousands of dollars each year for area nonprofits.
And while a donation offers much-needed financial support, it’s other aspects of the campaign that’s often most rewarding for the organizations and the employees supporting their mission.
“I think (#Gift2Giving) goes right along with our core values,” said Brian Lois, Community State Bank Assistant Vice President and Agriculture Relationship Manager. “What I enjoy most is truly following through in what we believe in, giving back to the people who need it the most.”
Since its 2018 inception, Community State Bank’s annual #Gift2Giving has distributed over $105,000 to dozens of nonprofits throughout Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.
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. This year’s campaign raised over $15,000 for 17 local nonprofits – organizations like Burlington’s Life Choices, which provides resources and support for struggling parents.
“That’s one of the neat things about Gift2Giving is that every year there are always new organizations that I have never even heard of before,” Lois said. “It’s great we can support so many different types of groups throughout the three counties we serve.”
Community State Bank’s Lisa Galvan recruited 15 of her coworkers to raise $2,600 for Dementia Friendly Community Initiative (DFCI) – Walworth County. In 2022, Galvan lost her mother from posterior cortical atrophy, a form of dementia.
“We are so grateful for Lisa and what she’s done for us,” said Eric Russow, who founded DFCI – Walworth County with his wife Bernadette in 2020. “You don’t think it’s a whole lot, but it is a whole lot. It makes such a difference for us.”
Community State Bank Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer Robert Pieroni was one of six employees who chose Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Racine/Kenosha. Through community volunteers, Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds beds and delivers them to area children in need.
“We can’t do what we do without our community partners,” Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter Co-President Brian Nelson said. “We couldn’t be more thankful.”
Community State Bank’s Kristy Ellis participated in her first #Gift2Giving campaign. Ellis was one of six employees who supported Sarah’s Hope & Recovery Foundation, a Kenosha nonprofit created to empower individuals, families and communities affected by substance abuse.
“I really enjoyed how we were able to pick whoever we wanted for our donation,” Ellis said. “It’s a great way for everyone to learn more about all of the different organizations in the community, and that’s huge.”
This year’s #Gift2Giving recipients included Bart’s Mission, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Racine/Kenosha, Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Walworth, Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat, Dementia Friendly Community Initiative – Walworth County, Guardians of the Children – Belle City, Anchor Ministries, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, Mukwonago YMCA, Sarah’s Hope & Recovery Foundation, Safe Families for Children Wisconsin, Life Choices, Children’s Wisconsin Kenosha Campus, Racine Family YMCA, Fellow Mortals Wildlife Hospital, Rotary Club of Kenosha West, United Way of Racine County.
To learn more about this year’s nonprofits, visit CSB.bank/gift2giving.