Christmas season donations to the tune of $46,000 pushed the Bank of Marion’s 2020 charitable donations north of $100,000.
During the weeks of Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, the bank donated $20,500 to food banks and church pantries in its service area to wrap up the year with a total of $111,000 in charitable donations.
Bank President and CEO Chris Snodgrass said the bank has an annual goal for charitable giving.
“Because of the increased need for food donations caused by COVID-19, we decided to use a large portion of our remaining 2020 charitable giving fund to help our local food distribution centers and churches that have taken on food pantry ministries,” Snodgrass said. “We know that there are people who donated food in the past who now must depend on such donations themselves.”
The bank also made four donations in honor of retired members of the board of directors:
– $5,000 was donated in honor of Everette N. Umbarger Jr. to the Mel Leaman Free Clinic, which serves low-income uninsured residents in Smyth, Washington and Grayson counties, delivering free medical care. The clinic’s operating funds come from donations and grants.
– St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital received a $5,000 donation in honor of Donald W. Taylor. The hospital is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and has eight affiliated hospitals across the U.S., including Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City.
– $5,000 was donated to the Gracie Dimit Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Joseph S. Tate. This fund was established as a memorial to Smyth County resident Gracie LeAnn Dimit to promote education and understanding.
– The Wytheville Community College Educational Foundation received a $5,000 donation in honor of Cameron L. Wolfe Jr. The foundation’s mission is to foster and promote the growth, progress and general welfare of Wytheville Community College.
The Bank of Marion also donated $5,500 in December to United Way of Southwestern Virginia.
Prior to these donations, the bank had already donated $65,000 to various charities, schools and other deserving organizations in 2020.
The Bank of Marion was established in 1874, making it the third oldest bank in Virginia. It has 17 branches in the region stretching from Fort Chiswell, Virginia to Johnson City, Tennessee.
