SHEFFIELD – It’ll be a merry Christmas for children across the area thanks to customers and officials with Bank Independent.
The bank said today its 14th annual Toy Share Drive collected a record 5,039 toys between Nov. 4 and Dec. 6. An additional $2,783.77 in cash was also donated.
All donations were distributed to children in need through partner organizations across North Alabama in time for the holidays.
Toy Share is the last of four annual Share drives hosted by Bank Independent to give back to the community as part of the Helping Hands Foundation.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed toys, time, and resources to bring joy to children in need this holiday season,” said Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of BancIndependent Inc. “The success of this year’s Toy Share Drive was made possible by the amazing generosity of our community. Your kindness inspires us all and exemplifies the positive difference we can achieve together as we head into 2025.”
Since Toy Share started in 2011, more than 47,000 items and $50,000 in cash have been donated to the families in our local communities. The total economic impact has surpassed the $1 million mark.
“The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back, and this year we’re thrilled to have broken the record for the number of toys collected through our annual Toy Share drive,” said Hallie Mauldin, Community Engagement Officer for Bank Independent. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and to the charitable organizations that work alongside us to distribute these toys, bringing holiday cheer to children in need throughout our communities.”
This year, the bank accepted donations from team members at all 33 Bank Independent locations. Additionally, the foundation accepted monetary donations through PayPal and Venmo.
More information on all the share drives and the Helping Hands Foundation can be found at www.bibank.com/helping-hands-foundation .
Charitable organizations distributing Toy Share donations include:
- DHR of Franklin County
- DHR of Lawrence County
- Cornerstone Church of Moulton
- Angel Tree Program with Lexington High School
- DHR of Limestone County
- Christmas Charities Year-Round of Madison County
- Committee on Church Cooperation of Morgan County
- William Porter Foundation in the Shoals
- Shoals CASA, Safeplace of the Shoals
- North Alabama Christian Children’s Home
- Rogersville Volunteer Fire Department.
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