The Independence County office of the Department of Human Services (DHS) recently received a boost from Citizens Bank employees through the bank’s “Blue Jeans Donation” fund and through its contribution of needed items for the DHS Children’s’ Ready Bag program.
DHS received a $500 check from the Blue Jeans Fund, which grows as Citizens Bank employees make $1 weekly donations in return for being allowed to wear blue jeans to work on Fridays.
Additionally, the bank solicited donations of personal care items from customers and employees to support the DHS “Ready Bag” program, which assists children during potentially traumatic times in their lives.
For example, when a family situation requires that DHS representatives must remove children from a home, the children frequently have very little to take with them. On that first night, children may not even have a change of clothes or other basic necessities such as a toothbrush. DHS tries to maintain supplies in “ready bags” to meet this need.
In support of the Ready Bag program, Citizens Bank served as a collection point to accept donations of diapers, underwear, socks, shirts, pajamas, toiletries, breakfast cereal, snacks, drinks, coloring books, and backpacks.
The Citizens Bank Blue Jeans Fund has provided more than $17,500 in financial support to worthwhile causes and charitable groups over the past five years. Each time the fund accumulates $500 in donations, an employee committee selects the next charity or organization to receive a donation.
“Supporting critical needs in the community while wearing blue jeans to work is a ‘win-win’ for our employees,” said Joyce Prickett, who helps coordinate the Blue Jeans Fund for Citizens Bank. “Our employees also are very generous, in donating their time and money to dozens of service organizations across north central Arkansas. Helping our friends and neighbors in their time of need is just the right thing to do.”
FOR THE KIDS – Holding items donated to the DHS “Ready Pack” program are employees of Citizens Bank and the Independence County office of the Human Services and Health Department.
