2023 #RiseUp4Families: Year in Review
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As we say goodbye to 2023, we're taking a moment at Dream First Bank to think about the incredible journey we've been on with our #RiseUp4Families initiative. It's been a year that's thrown a lot our way, but through it all, we've stuck together and come out stronger.
Community Initiatives: Strengthening Our Bonds
When the tornadoes hit, they took a lot from us and our community, but they also showed us how much we have to give. Our Tornado Relief Efforts weren't just about writing checks; they were about rebuilding homes and hopes, side-by-side with our neighbors.
Our Kits for Kids program was like a conveyor belt of joy - each kit packed with essentials, each one a building block for a child's future. We collected essential items for the upcoming school year to ensure every child was fully prepared to return to school. We collected around 818 essential items and 50 lbs of clothing!
And who could forget the Halloween Costume Collection? We collected costumes right after Halloween, in hopes that the costumes that get worn once or twice could bring joy to another child next year! Our goal is that all kids get the chance to trick-or-treat in 2024 and have the Halloween experience they deserve!
Our Holiday Spirit in Action
Our Stuff the Turkey Food Drive was successful this past Thanksgiving. We collected food at each of our branch locations the entire month of November. We collected enough food to be able to deliver to multiple food pantries in our communities, as well as provide Thanksgiving dinner to four local families.
Christmas time is always special, and this year we went all out. We provided food boxes and gifts for families in need, and made sure those angel wishes came true. Those Christmas blankets we gave out at the assisted living homes - We like to think they were like a warm hug from us to them! We also got to play Santa with $4,000 worth of gift cards! Below is a full list of our holiday cheer:
- Donated food to make food boxes for kids to have over the holidays
- Adopted a family and gave them Christmas gifts
- Adopted 3 angels and purchased them a need and want gift
- Made sure 13 kids got special Christmas gifts and goodies
- Donated Christmas blankets to the assisted living
- Made 22 Christmas bags and delivered them to the senior center and assisted living
- Made a family fun pack with games, snacks and food for a family
A Helping Hand
One of the most touching moments this year was helping an adolescent in our community get the medical equipment they needed to improve their quality of life. We touched the lives of 39 additional families this past year for a variety of needs including medical expenses, cancer battles, and family hardships. It reminded us that what we do really does make a difference, one person at a time.
Golf Tournament: More Than a Game
Our first annual #RiseUp4Families Golf Tournament was about more than just birdies and bogeys. It was about coming together, having a good time, and raising funds for a cause that's close to our hearts. The extraordinary number of community sponsors we had made the event even more special!
Looking Ahead
Sitting here, reflecting on 2023, we're filled with so much gratitude. We've seen firsthand what we can accomplish when we come together. At Dream First Bank, we're all about being there for our community, and we're not slowing down. Here's to 2024 and beyond - we're just getting started on making more good things happen.