Community Involvement
Empowering our community is our mission.
What We Proudly Support
Bank of the Pacific is a member of the Bankers Care network, and we support a wide variety of community development activities and causes, including:
Affordable Housing
We believe everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
Economic Development
We believe in building communities from the ground up by providing the financial tools to do so.
Financial Education
What you know makes all the difference in your financial journey.
Community Revitalization and Stabilization
We strive to uplift our neighbors and empower growth in our communities long term.
Community Service
We believe that everyone can get involved in building the community one step at a time.
If your organization is looking to partner with a community bank who believes in making a real difference, please fill out our Support Request form and a representative will get in touch.
We Believe in Building Stronger Communities Together
For us, the words “neighbor” and “hometown” aren’t just words, they are the cornerstones of a committed and proud tradition. Through our community involvement initiatives, we aim to empower and uplift the people and organizations of our great communities, and invite you to get involved.
Willapa Harbor Health Foundation
Established in 1999, Willapa Harbor Health Foundation’s mission is to assist the Willapa Harbor Hospital in meeting the health care needs of citizens in North Pacific County. This mission is accomplished by receiving, maintaining and disbursing funds for charitable or educational purposes.
Branch Manager Dede Hoerr has supported the Foundation for many years. Hoerr believes in a lifestyle of giving back. “Giving back to the community not only feels good but is the right thing to do, whether it be with a cash donation or volunteering at fundraisers and events,” she says. “Giving back strengthens the community and makes for a better place to work, live and play.”
“DeDe and her group from the bank are always great to work with,” says Foundation President Zoe Sowa. “They come up with great ideas and themes for the holiday raffle tree each year, which really helps boost the sale of tickets.”
Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor
For Joey Elder, Aberdeen Branch Manager, community involvement includes donating his time and caring spirit to the Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor. Elder is currently a voting member on the Center’s board and helps their team determine how funds are allocated, navigate changes to employee positions, facilitate annual account reviews, and determine how to best address incoming needs.
“The Center utilizes every resource our organization has to offer,” says Elder. “We provide things like gas, shelter and food. The NEXT STEPS program transitions clients from temporary assistance to financial independence through advocacy which allows clients to obtain shelter and regain control of their financial literacy and independence without the organization. This program can support clients for up to one year.”
Elder believes that working with the Center truly enriches Grays Harbor, because everyone benefits. “Developing relationships with folks in our community promotes collaboration which is auspicious to the Harbor’s success.”
Friends of the Children
Friends of the Children is a nonprofit mentorship program that goes far beyond a few visits a month. It pays professional mentors a living wage to spend consistent time with children from kindergarten through high school graduation.”
“This isn’t just a few hangouts a year. These mentors are there every week, every year, for over a decade. It’s that kind of consistency that changes lives,” says Jon Little, Commercial Banking Team Lead. The program focuses on at-risk youth, aiming to break generational cycles of poverty and empower those facing the greatest obstacles.
Founded over 30 years ago, the local program today has many mentors who were in the program as kids. The program’s reach now extends far beyond Portland with over 30 chapters across the nation. And the impact is palpable. Kids in the program do more than just avoid early parenthood or the juvenile system, 83% graduate high school, and 92% pursue post-secondary education, the military or career opportunity employment. They leave the program going places.
NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor
In the 20 years that Bank of the Pacific has supported NeighborWorks, they have donated more than money. Team members have donated time as well, acting as board members and event volunteers.
Bank of the Pacific has also offered professional consultation for NeighborWorks employees when needed and helped with client referrals and meeting spaces. Aside from the board, Bank of the Pacific employees also sit on the NeighborWorks Loan Committee.
Director of Retail Banking, Dustin Bruland loves how supportive Bank of the Pacific is through involvement on the NeighborWorks board. “I very much appreciate that the bank allows me to attend board meetings while I am on work time.” He shares. “I think it is great that the Bank invests back into the community and supports nonprofits like NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor with money as well as employee time and experience. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy working for Bank of the Pacific.”
