GATE CITY BANK ACTS OF KINDNESS

Words by Alissa Maier Photography provided by Gate City Bank

Whether it’s handing out coffee on the street, paying for someone’s lunch or taking the time to volunteer at a local women’s shelter, any act of kindness can go a long way. This is the vision that Gate City Bank had when they began the Acts of Kindness program in 2014. Now, just over a year later, the employees at their 34 locations have performed over 380 acts of kindness throughout the communities in which they serve. “Our team members fully embrace the philosophy behind Gate City Bank’s Acts of Kindness,” said Gate City Bank's Chairman, President, and CEO Steve Swiontek. “We are committed to making a difference in the lives of our customers and communities, and to be part of such an amazing display of kindness toward others is greatly rewarding.”

The possibilities are endless when it comes to supporting the campaign, and each employee has embraced the opportunity to give back to their communities with a variety of acts. Employees at Gate City Bank decide how and when to perform the acts of kindness. “I really enjoy working for a company that is so dedicated not only to its employees, but to the communities that it serves as well. Working at Gate City Bank has given me the opportunity to give back to my community in many ways over the years and those opportunities have given me so much more in return,” said employee Jessica Kluck.

While some of the acts have been small and simple such as bringing treats to senior citizens' centers, volunteering at non-profit organizations, or helping families in need, other acts have been performed with larger monetary donations. Throughout the last year, Gate City Bank employees have provided donations to several deserving organizations. Some of the more extensive acts include donating $300 in hats and lip balms for patients at Minot’s Trinity Cancer Center, donating $300 in bed sheets and 100 bus passes to the New Life Center in Fargo and donating $100 in pajamas to the NICU at Altru in Grand Forks. These are among many other generous acts that the employees performed throughout the year. “We’ve built a tradition of serving our customers and being connected to our communities,” said Swiontek.

Most recently, the employees at Gate City Bank throughout the Minnesota and North Dakota communities performed 172 random acts of kindness in one day to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17. Performing these acts of kindness continued a tradition started at Gate City Bank in February 2014. Last year, in conjunction with the grand opening of the Veteran’s Boulevard location in West Fargo, employees completed 90 acts of kindness during a month-long celebration.

Gate City Bank employees have embraced the campaign and the mission to give back to their communities with acts of kindness in several ways throughout the year, and it goes without saying that each community deserves and appreciates each act big or small.

Each act of kindness is posted on Gate City Bank’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts so fans can follow the program’s progress. For more information on the Acts of Kindness campaign, visit www.gatecitybank.com or Gate City Bank’s Facebook or Twitter accounts. [AWM]