ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to recognize the donations ChoiceOne employees have made this year. Through an employee Jean Day program, multiple donations are made to local nonprofits throughout the year and at yearend.
“Many companies offer blue-jean Fridays; however, ChoiceOne’s Jean Day program is different. Our employees commit to supporting our local nonprofits whether they wear blue jeans or not, on the designated Friday, and they have the donation regularly withdrawn from their paychecks,” said ChoiceOne President Michael Burke, Jr. “This is a pledge our employees choose to make. I am incredibly proud of them and the commitment they make to our customers and the communities we serve. They continue to amaze me with the compassionate and generous spirits they bring to our Bank every day.”
ChoiceOne employees initiated a Jean Day program years ago to raise money for local nonprofits. Employees make biweekly donations to the Jean Day fund which allows them to wear jeans to work on designated Fridays. Surveys are sent to the employees to gage their interest in supporting different causes and organizations. As the money is collected throughout the year, it is distributed to local nonprofits selected by the employees. Most of the nonprofits are selected because one or more employees are volunteers with a particular organization in their community.
These are the nonprofits in ChoiceOne’s West Market that received Jean Day donations in 2022.
• Beautiful You by Profile - Comstock Park
• Community Action House - Holland
• Coopersville Cares - Coopersville
• Food Hugs - Comstock Park/Grand Rapids
• i understand love heals - Grand Rapids
• K9 Camo Companions - Sparta
• Lori's Voice - Coopersville
• SECOM - Grand Rapids
• Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect - Newaygo County
• No More Sidelines – Kent County
• Every Woman’s Place – Muskegon
• Lighthouse for Veterans – Muskegon
• Pioneer Resources – Muskegon
“Most of our employees have opted into our Jean Day program held on Fridays, allowing them to wear blue jeans to work,” explains Vice President, Treasury Management Officer Carrie Olson, also the Chair of the Nonprofit Committee responsible for the Jean Day fund. “We collect the money through voluntary paycheck deductions so it’s easy to donate. Employees complete a survey selecting the causes and organizations to consider for donations. The Committee reviews the surveys and determines the nonprofits to support and the amount available to distribute to the selected nonprofits. We strive to use these funds to support local nonprofits, so our money stays in our communities, just like the Bank lends out locally. Our Jean Day has created a fun and worthy opportunity for ChoiceOne employees to support our local nonprofits.”
These are the nonprofits in ChoiceOne’s East Market that received Jean Day donations in 2022 and joined in a celebratory breakfast for ‘May’king a Difference in May of 2022.
• OHA Missions Inc – Plymouth
• Habitat for Humanity of Lapeer-Tuscola
• Lapeer County Agricultural Society
• Love Inc of North Oakland County
• Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County
• Armada Agricultural Society – Armada
• Lapeer County Animal Shelter
• Stone Soup Food Bank – Lapeer
• Paradise Animal Rescue – Lapeer
• Lapeer County Explorers
• Saving Grace Miniature Horse Rescue – St Clair County
• The Council on Aging Inc – St Clair County
• Capac Historical Society – Capac
• Four County Community Foundation – Almont
• Love INC of Greater Lapeer – Lapeer County