Published: November 19, 2008 10:54 pm      

Citizens National Bank and Salvation Army to help needy children

Special to The Star



Citizens National Bank has chosen The Salvation Army as one of its official Community Partners throughout Mississippi to call attention to the great need that exists in our area during this Christmas season.

As a supporter of The Salvation Army’s Angel tree program, Citizens National Bank has Salvation Army angel trees in all 26 of its branch locations. These "angels" are underprivileged children from newborns to those who are 12 years old, who need adopting this Christmas.

"The need is greater than ever," Major Helene Wildish, of the local Salvation Army said. "Last year we helped 725 families. This year we expect to help over 1,300 families. These are families who can barely afford to pay their rent and bills, much less provide a Christmas for their kids. They have no one else to turn to, so it's up to the people in our community to show them that someone cares."

To qualify for assistance, the families must provide proof of income and expenses, proof of the children living in their household, birth certificates, and a picture i.d. of the head of the household.

If you are interested in providing Christmas gifts for a local child, Citizens National Bank asks that you visit one of their locations and pick a nametag, which lists the first name of a child, their age, and several of their "needs" and "wants." "Needs" are items like shoes or clothes, and "wants" are toys from the child's Christmas wish list.

Once you have finished shopping for the child, you should bring your unwrapped gifts back to any Citizens National Bank location by Dec. 12. Then, Citizens National Bank will ensure that the gifts are delivered to the Salvation Army office so that they can be distributed to the local children in need.

As one of the Bank’s Community Partners, The Salvation Army is receiving assistance from the Bank in a variety of ways. The Angel tree program is being promoted on the Bank’s Web site. For more information, log on to www.yourcnb/angeltree. By visiting the Bank’s Web site, a person can learn more about the angel tree program, or even make a monetary donation to the Salvation Army.

The Bank will also be supporting the Salvation Army with radio commercials which will air in all of Citizens National Bank's markets across the state.

Citizens National Bank has assets in excess of $1 billion, and has branches in Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Waynesboro, Quitman, Carthage, Kosciusko, Philadelphia, Macon, Columbus, and Olive Branch.

Part of the bank's logo includes the statement: “It’s a matter of caring,” Archie McDonnell, Jr., CEO of Citizens National Bank, said. “We are an independent, community bank that cares about the families who live around us. I can’t think of a better way to put our caring into action than to partner with the Salvation Army to help needy children.”

For more information, call Citizens National Bank at (601) 693-1331, or The Salvation Army at (601) 483-6156.