Jon Patrom, Retail Sales/Marketing OfficerFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Service Bank
501-679-7200
Jon.Patrom@firstservicebank.com
20 Percent of Building Campaign Goal Reached in Less Than 3 Months
Text ORWB to 800-669-2517 to learn more!
Greenbrier, AR: The finish line for First Service Bank’s Habitat for Humanity fundraiser just got a little closer. This past Friday, Central Arkansas’ largest community bank deposited $14,000 into their Habitat home building account, putting them at nearly 20% of their $80,000 goal after only 2.5 months of fundraising. That’s the total required amount First Service Bank must raise in order to build their first Habitat for Humanity home.
In January 2021, First Service Bank launched a donation campaign called Operation Red, White & Brave for the privilege of building a Habitat for Humanity home. The new residence will be presented to a deserving veteran when completed.
“It’s only been 2.5 months since the campaign began, and the response from our customers has been heartwarming…and a bit overwhelming,” said Robin Hackett, Chief Mortgage & Chief Operating Officer at First Service Bank. “We’re incredibly grateful for their support and we feel confident we’ll meet our $80,000 goal.”
The bank will continue to raise money across all of its ten Arkansas locations until that goal is reached. Individuals, families, and business clients interested in donating to this very worthwhile campaign can simply call their branch or stop by with inquiries and/or checks. “It is not necessary to be a bank customer to help the cause,” added Hackett. “Just give us a call or stop by one of our branches.”
Like all other new Habitat for Humanity homeowners, selected veterans must participate in the home’s construction. “Sweat equity is an important part of the program…the down payment,” explained Kelly Fleming, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas. “They must also demonstrate fiscal responsibility.”
To qualify for a Habitat home, applicants must exhibit a need, have a decent, passable credit score, and must have a stable income that falls within 30-60% of the median income for Pulaski and Lonoke Counties. Part of what Habitat does is educate new homeowners about budgeting and money management, all to help be successful. Upon taking ownership, new homeowners make monthly payments on their home, but the mortgage they carry has no interest attached.
About First Service Bank
First Service Bank, headquartered in Faulkner County, has been in operation for over 50 years and has locations in Clinton, Conway, Dermott, Flippin, Greenbrier, Little Rock, Marshall, Mountain View, Shirley, and Yellville. Our mission is to provide high-quality, fairly priced financial services while providing a fair return to our stakeholders. Our vision is to create experiences that exceed expectations while creating an atmosphere where our personal and business banking customers can feel at home.
About Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas
Habitat for Humanitybuilds houses in partnership with Central Arkansas individuals and families in need. Volunteer labor is used to keep building costs low, and Habitat homeowners make a monthly payment on an affordable mortgage. They also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their own houses and the houses of others. Habitat homeowner payments go into a revolving fund that helps build houses with other families. Since its start in 1989, Habitat has built over 200 new homes in Pulaski and Lonoke counties and rehabbed over 600 homes through their Neighborhood Revitalization program.
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