ChoiceOne Bank fulfilled a donation request from North Kent Connect inviting the Bank to participate in their Tree of Hope campaign for the holidays.
Employees in ChoiceOne’s main office and loan operations department, both in Sparta, Mich., collected more than 100 gifts to deliver to North Kent Connect for their Christmas Store.
“As the local community bank, our focus is always to help make our communities a better place to live for all of us,” said Kelly Potes president and CEO of the $646 million. “When North Kent Connect asked for donations, our staff saw the opportunity to help families in need during the holiday season, when resources are especially tight, they eagerly went to work fulfilling a Tree of Hope in our Sparta Main office.”
North Kent Connect is a Christian organization based in Rockford. The organization’s goal is to help improve the lives of all people in northern Kent County. Over the holiday season, North Kent Connect asked for donations for their “Tree of Hope” campaign. Donations needed for their Tree of Hope included new sheets, blankets, adult clothing, toys, pajamas, sweatshirts, winter coats, boots, snow pants, crib sheets, and towels.
North Kent Connect delivered a Tree of Hope to the breakroom at Sparta Main office complete with red, green and yellow gift tags. Employees were asked to take a tag and help provide toys, clothing and household items for families in northern Kent County for the holiday season. All gifts collected were new and unwrapped.
North Kent Connect then opened their Christmas Store to clients on December 18 and 19 so only their clients could shop privately for new clothing, bedding, and toys ranging from $1 to $5. The thrift store was closed to the public on both days.