As a family-owned banking network with 90 years of service statewide, the roots of Chambers Bank are right here in Arkansas. We hire employees from our communities, we run banking services for our communities, and we give back to our communities whenever we have the opportunity. Altogether, we stand behind our mission to improve the financial well-being and quality of life for those we serve each day.
In this blog, you’ll find out how we’ve been supporting the people of Arkansas throughout the year and how much fun we’ve been having along the way!
Giving Back Through Volunteering
American writer and television host Sam Levenson once said “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
This quote captures the essence of our volunteer activities uniquely, as many of us in the Chambers Bank network were born and raised in the towns and cities we currently serve. We were once those school children taught valuable lessons by a classroom volunteer, and we were once those young adults in extracurricular programs who got a helping hand at special events. Now it’s our time to lend others a hand.
In 2023, our Chambers Bank employees have dedicated more than 2,700 hours to local organizations. Whether it’s serving on boards and event committees or teaching financial literacy classes at schools, our employees have supported over 161 Arkansas organizations with their time and talents.
Here are a few things we’ve accomplished:
#1. Assisted With Clean-Up Initiatives and Activities
With 23 bank branches throughout the state, we are committed to helping keep our towns and cities clean and beautiful.
This year, many of our employees volunteered their time to assist with trash pick-up in Havana, Dardanelle, Danville, and other locations. These efforts were part of the Keep America Beautiful and Keep Arkansas Beautiful campaigns, which aim to spark clean-up efforts each spring and fall.
An opportunity to tidy up Havana this spring had volunteers from our Havana and Danville branches jumping for joy.
Our Dardanelle team members made Dardanelle even more beautiful in April when they picked up trash around the city.
#2. Taught Financial Literacy Classes
Children are able to learn financial skills even at very young ages, and that’s one reason we like to support our Arkansas schools and communities with fun and educational financial literacy programs both independently and through Junior Achievement.
This past year, staff members at our branch offices led some outstanding classes where they helped kids K-12 learn about saving, budgeting, spending, and donating wisely.
Note: If you’re a teacher or administrator who would like some of our team members to host a financial literacy class at your school in 2024, please reach out to your local Chambers Bank branch office. We look forward to serving you in the new year!
Here, a few of our Chambers crew were found teaching financial literacy to an enthusiastic group of students at Atkins Elementary.
Students in a Quantitative Literacy class at Dover High School received a financial literacy lesson from Atkins-Dover Branch Manager JoAnna McGuire.
Giving Back Through Donations and Community Investment
President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation Kathy Calvin famously said, “Giving is not about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” And we couldn’t agree more. When we donate dollars and invest in community development initiatives, we know that those dollars return to stronger families, better neighborhoods, and more robust local economies.
This holiday season, we chose to support the Shop With a Cop program in our Arkansas communities, which ensures area children have gifts to open for Christmas. Additionally, we joined in on the Festival of Trees event through a local Kiwanis Club. This allowed us to provide a decorated tree along with wrapped gifts for the event auction, and all proceeds of the auction went to support the Kiwanis Club’s mission.
But we didn’t just give during the holidays! We also:
#1. Supported Organizations All Year Through Donations
In 2023, we donated over $72,000 to schools and nonprofit organizations across our branch network, including a $10,000 donation to support tornado relief efforts in central Arkansas. These donated funds help enrich programs within our communities that not only help others in need, but strengthen individuals and families so they can give back one day too.
Note: If your organization is seeking a donation from Chambers Bank, we will make every effort to oblige your request; please see this page to learn about how we prioritize requests and then make a request as appropriate.
#2. Issued Low-Interest Loans and Bonds to Promote Community Development
Besides donations, we committed more than $11 million in low-interest community development loans during 2023, including $4.8 million to support affordable housing and $6.2 million in bonds to support public schools.
Team members with our donated Christmas tree and gifts during the Festival of Trees event sponsored by the Russellville Kiwanis Club.
Senior CSR Kortni Lyons, on behalf of the Chambers Bank team in Amity, presented a donation to the Alpine Fire Department.
Every Season is a Season of Giving at Chambers Bank
As 2023 comes to a close, we at Chambers Bank would like to thank you for your patronage and hope that you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. We also hope that, like us, you can find ways to give back in 2024–whether it’s your time, talents, or donations to a good cause.
Happy Holidays!
