Standard Bank Blog

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

We’re proud to announce our Annual Holiday Giving Campaign! Our Toys for Tots drives starts this week and the remaining drives will start on Monday, November 26^th!

Our branches are supporting several charities in the Chicagoland area. Please be sure to visit your local branch to help make the holidays a little merrier for those in need this holiday season. We will be collecting donations through Saturday, December 22.

Any Christmas tree, even one like Charlie Brown’s, comes to life when it’s dressed up with ornaments by caring friends. This holiday season through December 23, ten Standard Bank branch offices have Christmas trees waiting to be decorated with special ornaments.

As in years past, Standard Bank is again supporting the Park Lawn Angel Fund this holiday season. Customers can make donations at participating branches. For every donation made to the fund, an ornament will be displayed on a Christmas tree.  Donations help Park Lawn purchase beds, rocking chairs, medical supplies and other much needed items for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and little or no family support.

What do banks and Santa have in common?  You would probably answer “absolutely nothing.”  Well, that’s not true.  Like Santa, Standard Bank feels that the spirit of the holiday comes from bringing joy to families in the communities it serves. One of the primary ways the bank does that is by supporting Operation St. Nick.  Operation St. Nick is a local charity where 100% of its budget goes to families in need living within Grundy County.

During the holiday season, we often think about gift giving.  It seems like it was just yesterday that my own college age sons were making their lists for Santa.  Their “Dear Santa” letters had a carefully thought out list of toys they wanted.  Tonka trucks, roller blades, skateboards, basketballs, Pokémon cards, Lego’s, Beanie Babies, Hot Wheels, Game Boy, the latest electronic toy….the lists went on and on.  Truthfully, by the time the big day arrived, they were delighted to open the simplest of gifts – it was more about the experience of tearing open the package to see what was inside that enthused them the most.

Giving never goes out of style. That is even more so true when average, everyday Americans engage in meaningful community holiday giving. No matter the circumstances, the holidays can be both a wonderful and stressful time.

Charitable gifts by caring individuals and organizations can help make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.   Recent studies have shown that charitable giving is declining.  Even though our wallets may be shrinking, we can still think creatively about helping out this holiday in any way we possibly can.  Even small contributions of our time, money or other donations can make a difference for our neighbors.

Every March Standard Bank and Trust Co. participates in MDA's Shamrock fundraising drive.  This year with the help of our customers and employees we raised $10,941.