Thank you!
Working in the banking industry is very rewarding, and I’m not talking about money! I’m referring to the wonderful emotional returns that we at Bank of Utah get every year through our annual Warm Bodies, Warm Souls coat drive. 2018 marked the seventh year that Bank of Utah branches have invited the public to donate new or gently-used coats, hats, scarves, gloves, socks and blankets during November and December, to be given to ten charities in our bank branch communities from Tremonton to St. George.
As a community bank, we have a wonderful opportunity to give back to our communities with efforts like Warm Bodies, Warm Souls. And, it really warms our hearts to see how our customers and friends have generously joined us in collecting warm clothes for people who are struggling to cover the basics for their families during the coldest time of the year.
Speaking of generosity, I’d like to thank our great partners, Arctic Circle Restaurants and Red Hanger Dry Cleaners for helping us extend the reach of the campaign and to reward customer participation!
Bank of Utah started the Warm Bodies, Warm Souls coat drive in 2011, and Arctic Circle Restaurants and their foundation, Arctic Cares, joined us in 2014, which broadened the campaign through their 33 locations and their in-store and direct mail advertising. And now, for the second year, Red Hanger has also played a vital role in the effort. Not only did they offer 23 drop-off locations, but they also generously used their trucks to deliver donation bins to many locations and pick up them up at the end of the campaign.
Arctic Circle also offered a coupon for a free double cheeseburger to those who donated at their restaurants and Red Hanger gave customers a certificate for a free shirt cleaning for donating at their dry cleaner locations. We are truly grateful to these wonderful partners for helping us take our coat drive to a higher level. Together, we had a lot of fun doing media interviews with our charitable partners to invite the public to donate. As a result, we ended up delivering more than 230 bags and barrels full of warm clothing to 10 charities in Utah!
And who else made it happen? You did! We are very appreciative of our branch managers and their teams who got behind Warm Bodies, Warm Souls, and the many, many people like you who contributed. Several community organizations collected items and brought them to our banks including Brigham City, Perry City’s Mayor office and Anytime Fitness. They really understood the spirit of giving during the holidays.
And, we’d also like to say thank you to our charitable partners for all the good they do in the communities throughout Utah! They include the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank and The Lantern House in Ogden, Cache Community Food Pantry in Logan, Tremonton Community Pantry, Family Support Center in Brigham City, Community Action Services and Food Bank in Orem, Crossroads Urban Center and The Road Home in Salt Lake City, Bountiful Community Pantry and Hope Pregnancy Center in St. George.
As I said, the banking business is very rewarding, because we have an opportunity to make a real difference in the community, with your help! And, it makes us all feel good inside for doing so!
