Greenbrier, AR: After less than 5 months of fundraising completed, First Service Bank has delivered another substantial check to Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, this one in the amount of $25,000. The Flippin branch, headed by branch manager, Roberta Switzer was alone responsible for raising $11,000 of the total.
First Service, is working toward an $80,000 goal – the amount needed to earn the honor of building their first Habitat for Humanity home for a deserving veteran.
“I’m grateful, but definitely not surprised, by the outpouring of goodwill from our Flippin customers,” shared Switzer. “The population of our community may be small, but their hearts are huge.”
Robin Hackett, Chief Mortgage & Chief Operating Officer at First Service Bank is confident her bank will meet the final goal in their donation campaign called Operation Red, White & Brave. “We will continue to raise money across all of our ten Arkansas locations until our goal is reached.”
Customers and non-customers, including individuals, businesses, schools and others are all invited to contribute to the worthwhile campaign by simply stopping by any location with their check.
As with 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 have a stable income that falls within 30-60% of the median income for Pulaski county. Key to Habitat’s mission is educating 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, 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.
Jon Patrom, Retail Sales/Marketing Officer
First Service Bank
501-679-7200
Jon.Patrom@firstservicebank.com
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