One Community Bank Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients

June 12, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jamie Balsiger
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
jbalsiger@onecommunity.bank

One Community Bank Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients

(June 2024) – One Community Bank is excited to announce the three recipients of the 2024 OCB Scholarship! The 2024 Scholarship Application launched in February and was open to all high school seniors graduating in any of the surrounding communities that we serve. This year we received 125 applications.

“By supporting these exceptional students and their education, we are investing in our communities from within. OCB is proud to recognize and support this year’s scholarship recipients, along with their dedication to community service,” said Steve Peotter, President and CEO.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Hannah Saari graduated from Stoughton High School and plans to attend Concordia University in Mequon, WI. She will double major in History and Psychology, with a minor in Spanish. Hannah has always enjoyed being involved in her community as she got to meet new people and feel at home. During high school, she was a member of the Stoughton High School Dance Team and assisted in launching The Stoughton Dance Program. This dance program creates a positive environment for dancers to come together, have fun, and compete in local competitions. Hannah plans to continue her leadership work and be involved in the community when she attends college.

Sydney Tasker graduated from Waunakee High School and will continue her education at the University of Arizona to study Aerospace Engineering. Sydney has made it her mission to give back and bring about positive, impactful, and sustainable change in her community. Since 2021, Sydney has worked with the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition and was elected as a Youth Chair Board Member. She assisted with community events, organized volunteer opportunities, led workshops, and was one of four students to attend the National CADCA Forum in Orlando, FL. In school, she participated in the National Honor Society and Pay it Forward club by regularly volunteering for community-based organizations. During her college journey, Sydney is excited to continue pursuing her community involvement.

Alexis Udell graduated from McFarland High School and will attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison this fall. She will be a part of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to major in Genetics and Genomics and minor in Creative Writing. Alexis enjoys promoting unique opportunities that encourage community members to step outside of their comfort zones and help others. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is personally significant to Alexis. She has been an advocate for disability awareness both in school and at community events. Alexis has also been involved in multiple theatre products and choir performances. She looks forward to continuing inspiring others and helping make the world a better place.

OCB first launched its scholarship program in April 2021, with the objective to grant three $1,000 scholarships each year forward. This scholarship program aligns with One Community Bank’s commitment to invest in our communities. The eligibility requirements to apply for the scholarships are as follows: the applicant must be a graduating high school senior; must be in good academic standing; and have post-graduation plans at a 2-year or 4-year institution, a technical or trade school, or an apprenticeship program. The application process also requires an essay on community service and involvement. One Community Bank is excited to continue this investment into our communities for years to come.

Pictured (left to right): Steve Peotter – President and CEO, Sydney Tasker, Alexis Udell, Hannah Saari, and Jeff Versluys – EVP and Chief Strategy Officer.

One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 16 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Six years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

WPS Charitable Foundation donates $240,000 in 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Charitable Foundation donates $240,000 in 2024
Mental health initiatives continue to be the focus

MADISON, Wis.—May 13, 2024—In 2024, the WPS Charitable Foundation has donated $240,000 to local organizations that support mental health, education, and the essential needs of children, senior citizens, and veterans. Providing these funds early in the year allows organizations the financial ability to undertake their missions and support more people.

Organizations selected to receive money from the WPS Charitable Foundation this year include:

• Mental Health America
• Boulder Crest Foundation
• Edgewood College Foundation
• NAMI National
• NAMI Wisconsin
• NAMI Dane County
• PsychArmor
• United Way of Dane County
  • Journey Mental Health
  • The Rainbow Project
  • EOTO
  • Girls on the Run

“This year, our Foundation continues its giving strategy of donating more than half of available funds to support organizations that work to destigmatize mental health,” Moira Klos, the Foundation’s Vice President of its Board of Trustees, said. “Mental health is health, and we are working to remove stigmas to make seeking mental health care easier. The goal is to help individuals acknowledge the need for care and provide much-needed resources when they do reach out for assistance on their mental health journey.”

About the WPS Charitable Foundation

The WPS Charitable Foundation was formed in 1986 to honor Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation’s first president, Ray Koenig. The Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that focuses on enhancing the communities we call home by supporting organizations focused on health and wellness, especially of women and children, seniors, veterans, and underserved populations. The Foundation also funds the Ray Koenig Memorial Scholarship program. Each year, the program makes educational opportunities available through scholarship awards to children of employees of WPS Health Solutions and its subsidiaries.

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One Community Bank Hosts Annual Power of ONE Community Week!

May 7, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

One Community Bank Hosts Annual Power of ONE Community Week!

(May 2024) – One Community Bank is proud to participate in Wisconsin Bankers Association annual Power of Community Week during April 15 – 20. OCB celebrated the week with a Cereal Drive, a Teach Children to Save initiative, a Teen Financial Literacy Workshop, a Financial Literacy Storytime at the Sun Prairie Library, kicking off its First-Time Homebuyer Seminars, making ONE last push to apply for the OCB scholarship, and announcing the Free Community Shred Event at its McFarland location.

“One Community Bank is proud to play an active role in our community, after all, community is our middle name. I am proud of our colleagues that made Power of Community Week possible and took the time out of their workday to give back to the communities we serve,” said Steve Peotter, President and CEO. “One Community Bank is thrilled to spread the wealth of financial education to all members of the community.”

One Community Bank was proud to give back to communities in a variety of ways including hosting a cereal drive across all locations. OCB is ecstatic to donate a total of 275 boxes of cereal to our communities’ food pantries! The cereal drive consisted of donations from clients and colleagues.

OCB was delighted to provide financial literacy to 1,238 students with its Teach Children to Save Initiative. Educating students across the rainbow of its communities in south central Wisconsin. Our educational program was geared towards students in grades K-2.

At our brand-new Cottage Grove location, OCB hosted its first Teen Financial Literacy Workshop on Wednesday, April 17. This workshop was designed to equip teenagers with an overview of essential financial skills for a successful future.

The Sun Prairie Library hosted a Financial Literacy Storytime with One Community Bank on Tuesday, April 16. This well attended event was geared toward students in grades 4K – 3.

OCB kicked off its First-Time Home Buyer Seminars, a free educational seminar with OCB’s Head of Mortgage Lending and Dan Chin Homes. The first ONE was hosted at OCB’s McFarland location on Thursday, April 18. For more information, please visit https://onecommunity.bank/personal/mortgages/mortgage-loans/.

Annually, One Community Bank gives three high school seniors a $1,000 scholarship each. The deadline to apply for the OCB scholarship was Saturday, April 20. OCB made ONE last push for applicants to apply for the scholarship.

Lastly, OCB announced its upcoming Free Community Shred Event at its McFarland location on Saturday, June 8 from 8-10 AM. We are proud to provide a free and safe way to shred documents. Everyone is welcome to bring a maximum of 50 pounds of paper to shred.

OCB hosted this event in honor of Wisconsin Bankers Association annual Power of Community Week. This week is dedicated to showing the collective support community banks provide to businesses and their communities.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 16 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Six years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

Bank of Sun Prairie Celebrates the Power of Community by Giving Back

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2024

Contact: Jimmy Kauffman, President and CEO
608.837.4511 ● jimmy.kauffman@bankofsunprairie.com

Bank of Sun Prairie Celebrates the Power of Community by Giving Back
Wisconsin Bankers Association Power of Community Week April 15 – 20, 2024

Sun Prairie, Wis., bankofsunprairie.com ‒To celebrate the connections between local businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and families and their hometown community bank, Bank of Sun Prairie is recognizing the Power of Community Week April 15-20, 2024, during National Community Banking Month and National Financial Literacy and Capability Month.

“We have a 126-year history in this community,” said Jimmy Kauffman, president and CEO of Bank of Sun Prairie. “It is our duty and privilege to not only give back during Power of Community Week but every week, all year long, every year.”

The purpose of Power of Community Week is to highlight the longstanding tradition of local hometown community banking and the role banks play in building strong, thriving communities.

Bank of Sun Prairie’s Power of Community Week activities include:

• Operation: Feed the Grove benefiting Cottage Grove Food Pantry sponsored by Bank of Sun Prairie. Drop off a donation item at Bank of Sun Prairie’s Cottage Grove branch, and at Dunkin’ Donuts and Grace Coffee in Cottage Grove and get a sweet treat cookie or donut in return.
• Financial Education in the High Schools: Sun Prairie East High School kicking off on April 15 – 19 with brand-new curriculum for grades 9 through 12, in partnership with Bank of Sun Prairie.
• Spring Clean Up at McKenzie Family Boys & Girls Club in Sun Prairie. Colleagues grab their gloves and rakes to spruce up the outdoor area and playground Wed., April 17.
• Love Your Library Gala, Sat., April 20 at Sun Prairie Public Library supporting the foundation as presenting sponsor.

“The Power of Community Week highlights the collective impact of Wisconsin’s banking industry,” said Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. “Bank employees tailor their efforts to the individual needs of their areas ‒ from giving financial literacy presentations in local schools to running food drives to volunteering in nursing homes ‒ it shows how passionate they are.”

Information on Power of Community Week and a map of service initiatives in Wisconsin can be found at wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI.

About Bank of Sun Prairie

Bank of Sun Prairie is a locally owned, full-service community bank with $739 million in assets and five branches in Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove, Wis. Its mission is to be trusted advisor for families, businesses and communities offering a complete range of services, while delivering fair returns for stockholders. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

About the Wisconsin Bankers Association
Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing more than 200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and over 30,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks in the state are WBA members. To learn more, please visit www.wisbank.com.

About the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is a Wisconsin non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and capability to the public. WBF works to empower consumers’ financial decisions through education, scholarships, and research. (IRS Public Charity Employer Identification Number 46-3791061)    

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Oak Bank Celebrates the Power of Community

For Immediate Release

Contact: Karen Virnoche, 608.441.6000
kvirnoche@oak.bank

Oak Bank Celebrates the Power of Community
7th Annual Wisconsin Bankers Association Power of Community Week April 15 – 20, 2024

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank, Fitchburg’s community bank since 2000, is recognizing the Power of Community Week April 15-20, 2024, during National Community Banking Month.

“Dane County is special. We’re proud to have deep roots in this community and we’re using this opportunity to celebrate the strong connections that we have developed with local businesses, charitable and civic organizations, and Dane County residents,” said Terry Taylor, President of Oak Bank. “To celebrate the Power of Community Week, Oak Bank associates are volunteering their time to support several very worthy projects here in Dane County. “

The purpose of Power of Community Week is to highlight the longstanding tradition of local hometown community banking. We urge consumers, small business owners, and community leaders to learn more about the relationship community banks have with the communities that are not home only to our bank, but to our families and our livelihoods. Oak Bank is proud of the role we play in building a strong community, by providing quality products and personal and business services that give our clients the support they need to succeed.

Oak Bank serves our community year-round, but this year we will celebrate the Power of Community Week by having a team of Oak Bank associates engaging in the following activities:

• Monday, April 15: Helping to clean up and mulch the “Playground for All” Adaptive Playground and Splash Pad Area at McKee Farms Park.
• Tuesday, April 16: Making tie blankets for foster children and children that have been helped by the police.
• Wednesday, April 17: Helping at the Dane County Humane Society.
• Thursday, April 18: Assisting the City of Fitchburg with waterway cleanup.
• Friday, April 19: Cooking food for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Madison.

In addition to this week-long celebration, Oak Bank is hosting a Sock & Sneaker drive throughout the entire month of April for the 2-5 year old children receiving support from Reach Dane.

“The Power of Community Week highlights the collective impact of Wisconsin’s banking industry,” said Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. “Bank employees tailor their efforts to the individual needs of their areas – from giving financial literacy presentations in local schools to running food drives to volunteering in nursing homes – it shows how passionate they are.”

For more information on the Power of Community Week and to see an interactive map of service initiatives around the state, please visit www.wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for over 23 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and creative solutions, all while supporting over 125 local nonprofits each year. Visit oak.bank to learn more.

About Wisconsin Bankers Association
Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing more than 200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and over 30,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks in the state are WBA members. To learn more, please visit wisbank.com.

About the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is a Wisconsin non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and capability to the public. WBF works to empower consumers’ financial decisions through education, scholarships, and research. (IRS Public Charity Employer Identification Number 46-3791061)

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