“The Jeremiah Castille Character Camp teaches football skills and character traits while instilling the importance of helping others and giving back to their community. Thanks to the support of the CSB Foundation and other community members the camp is free to area youth,” said T.J. Franey, special projects coordinator, Cullman County Schools.

When it comes to filling the needs of the community, the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation has stepped forward many times to lend a hand.

One example of the foundation’s generosity is providing funds to help complete the parking lot at the new Beech Center, which is operated by the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled (CCCDD).

“We want the paths to cross between our clients and the community. We want everyone to benefit from our services. We are so glad to be a part of this community, and so fortunate for the support of the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation,” said CCCDD Assistant Director Charese Morris.

The premise of the foundation reflects the bank’s belief that the success of the institution is enhanced by maintaining close ties with, and giving back to, the community which it serves. In 2002, the Cullman Savings Bank Board of Directors formed the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation on these principals, and has given several hundred thousand dollars to various community projects.

“We feel a responsibility to give back to the community,” said Cullman Savings Bank President John Riley, who is also a member of the foundation’s board of directors.

Special Projects Coordinator of Cullman County Schools T.J. Franey, who helps to organize the Castille Character Camp, reflects on the numerous ways that the foundation has served the community. “We commend the foundation for their support of programs such as the Jeremiah Castille Character Camp, the Student Investment Foundation, and other worthy causes that enhance the quality of life in our community,” said Franey. “It is important for the community to know that CSB and the foundation not only provide financial resources to help others, but are also actively involved, graciously volunteering their time to help the cause.”

Franey recalls Riley saw firsthand how the program impacted area youth when he brought his son to the camp and  volunteered his time to help. The camp teaches football skills and character traits while instilling the importance of helping others and giving back to the community. Thanks to the support of the CSB Foundation and other community members the camp is free to area youth.

“All of our employees understand the concept of giving back,” Riley said.

“It’s not about how it comes back to us,” said Cullman Savings Bank vice president Clara Kent. “It’s about the opportunity we are given to be able to make a difference in the community and maybe have an impact on someone’s life.”

“It’s a blessing to work for an organization that cares about the community and the people in it,” she said. “The community has given us so much and when a need arises, such as furthering the education of students or a therapeutic riding program for special needs children and adults, we are happy to contribute and be a part of that growth, which in turn enriches the community as a whole.”

“It’s having the frame of mind that you can make a difference, of knowing that we can do things to help when we see a need,” Riley added.

“The Cullman Savings Bank Foundation donation to United Way came at a great time,” said United Way of Cullman County  Executive Director Sammi Danford. “As we have many projects going on all year and this donation ensures that we stay in a position to continue our mission. CSB Foundation made several generous donations to some of our partner agencies as well.”

Javon Daniel , executive director of Cullman Caring For Kids, said the amounts given by the CSB Foundation have helped the organization stave off child abuse and child hunger over the years. “We absolutely appreciate everything they’ve done to help us do what we do,” said Daniel.

It’s not always the things that attract the most attention that pique the interest of the foundation’s board. They have also donated money to the Cullman County Animal Shelter for items necessary to run the busy office. “We were able to build a reception wall in the front office, and purchase a new fax machine along with some other office equipment,” said Candi Horsley, administrative assistant/shelter manager. “Also, we were able to purchase some paint to assist with some of our recent shelter renovations. We couldn’t be more grateful for their contribution to the Cullman County Animal Shelter. The money they donated has helped the shelter tremendously!”

Shirley Quattlebaum, vice president of the Cullman Ballet Society, also has seen the benefits of the foundation in the arts. “The Cullman Ballet Society is very grateful for the support provided by the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation for both the presentation of the Montgomery Ballet’s “Nutcracker” and the New York Theatre Ballet’s “Cinderella & Other Stories,’” Quattlebaum said. “The Cullman Ballet Society and Riley agree on the positive impact the arts have on a community and the importance of educating our children in the arts. More than 100 Cullman dancers have had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of dancing in a professional environment. Cullman Savings Bank Foundation’s contribution was vital to the success of both of the programs.”

The CSB Foundation also helped to build a greenhouse to allow students the experience of growing their own food, purchased new computers for the Cullman County Library and paved a parking lot at the North Alabama Agriplex and Heritage Center.

Cullman Area Career Center counselor Diane Barnett is excited about the Career Center being the recipient of a donation from the foundation in last October.

“That money was spent to purchase some welding machines for our welding shop,” Barnett said. “Those machines directly benefited 38 students representing all seven county high schools and Cullman High School, as well.”

“We were thrilled with their donation. The Cullman Savings Bank Foundation is truly trying to find ways to benefit all the students of Cullman County, not just those who excel academically and will qualify for the big scholarships because of their GPA’s and ACT scores,” Barnett said. CSB Foundation is seeking to contribute to the future of our students who desire to better themselves through education and training after high school but don’t have the resources to accomplish that. They are also contributing to high school programs that jumpstart the future careers of our students. We should all be very thankful for their contribution to our students and our community.”

Others concur about the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation’s synergy with the community has brought many improvements to the area.

“I’m proud to be associated with a local bank that takes seriously its commitment to the community,” said foundation board member Dr. Bill Peinhardt. “Through the foundation, Cullman Savings Bank is able to support and help local institutions and individuals develop and move the Cullman community forward.”

“One of the beautiful things about living in Cullman is the quality of life here, the feeling of constantly being surrounded by a ‘community’ of people who care,” said Wallace State Community College President, Dr. Vicki Hawsey Karolewics. “I love the hometown banks here because the bankers are personally invested in the community and have a personal interest in the growth and prosperity of its citizens. Cullman Savings Bank Foundation is a great example. The CSB Foundation has been very generous to the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation by donating scholarship funds for deserving college students who will ultimately contribute to the quality of life here in our great community.”

In one case, the CSB Foundation even purchased a headstone. When members of the Cullman Historical Society realized that there was not a headstone marking the final resting place of one of the county’s earliest banking officials, G.O. Dinkelburg, they pointed this omission out to the foundation. Board members got to work investigating the possibilities. When they were done there was a monument befitting the position of this prominent citizen, who, incidentally, played an important part in starting Cullman Savings Bank in 1887.

According to Cullman Historical Society member Mary Hovater, Cullman Savings Bank and the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation have been a supporting business from the beginning of Cullman’s first Oktoberfest. “In 1982 they were one of the first title sponsors and throughout the years they have hosted, sponsored, and had staff who volunteered for community service with such programs as “Open House,” by greeting tourists as they come through town, to the extensive support they provide for our Senior Day Program that provides lunch and activities for seniors from all over North Alabama.”  

For private, nonprofit agencies, times are hard. “We rely on donations from the community at large,” said Daystar House co-director Mary Leone. “The CSB Foundation has continued to help support the program which was started in 1989. The foundation’s impact has made it possible for us to sustain our services. We are forever grateful to them for being ever so mindful of our needs because we don’t get any state or federal funding.”

Foundation board members include, Greg Barksdale, Paul Bussman, Kim Chaney, Nancy McClellan, Bill Peinhardt and John Riley.