SHEFFIELD – August is Back-to-School season and, just in time for the school bell, the ninth annual Bank Independent School Share raised $16,773.88 in cash and an additional 19,167 school supply items. The”$5 Helps Carry the Cost” campaign was June 27-July 15.
Donations were accepted at all locations of Bank Independent, by PayPal and through four scheduled “Stuff the Bus” collection events.
“All School Share contributions go directly to children in need within your local community,” said Rick Wardlaw, Bank Independent CEO. “Thank you to the many customers who dropped off supplies and donations throughout this year’s drive. We couldn’t make the same financial impact without the help and support of our amazing community.”
Over the last nine years, the drive has generated $227,472.38 across its seven-county area. All school supplies and cash donations are distributed through organizations in each market, including Committee on Church Cooperation in Decatur, Sidney’s Safe! Foundation, the Department of Human Resources in Franklin, Lawrence and Limestone Counties, and Free 2 Teach in Madison.
“Our 29 sales offices and end-of-drive collection events have always allowed for convenient donations,” said Chris King, director of marketing for Bank Independent. “Two new options that have made donating even easier is our simple ‘$5 Helps Carry the Cost Campaign,’ which allows for donations through PayPal and our Smart Swipe pledge match.
“Customers were able to donate online from the convenience of their device anytime throughout the drive, and Smart Swipe customers made a giving impact through their good-savings habits.”
Smart Swipe is a plan that rounds up change from Bank Independent debit card purchases to the next dollar and deposits the difference into an account of the customer’s choosing.
Bank Independent pledged to match Smart Swipe savings during the drive up to $10,000. The bank reached its pledge match goal and donated that amount to School Share partners.
School Share is part of Bank Independent’s Helping Hands program, which also includes employee volunteer efforts, donations, and sponsorships.
Other Share drives include Toy Share to collect toys for children during the holiday season, Shelter Share to benefit animal shelters, and Food Share to collect non-perishable food items.
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