IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – First National Bank and Trust embarked on their annual Spread Goodness Day, marking the seventh consecutive year of community outreach and kindness across the U.P.
Making stops at Woodland Elementary School and Freeman Nursing Home, bank staff, including Senior Vice President Jean O’Dette and Loan Officer Tanya DalSanto, extended their goodwill throughout Dickinson, Iron, and Menominee counties. Their mission encompassed 15 nursing homes and 11 local schools, touching countless lives in the process.
“We’re hoping that people in the community see that just doing one small thing helps the next person, and it just grows,” expressed Russ Kassin, CEO & President of First National Bank. “I mean, I’m hoping next year maybe there are more businesses that do this, not just us. And it just grows and gets bigger in each of the communities. And hopefully it spreads throughout the U.P., too.”
Directors Tammy LaBarge, Shannon Ray, and Lisa Loar of Freeman Nursing Home and Rehab echoed the sentiment, expressing their enthusiasm for next year’s Spread Goodness Day. “Yes, this is fantastic. We’re definitely going to put this on our calendar for next year. And we will definitely be doing something for another place that could use a good smile.”
At Woodland Elementary, Assistant Principal Bryan Johnson highlighted the school’s alignment with the Spread Goodness mission through their implementation of positive behavioral techniques. “So we want to thank the First National Bank of Iron Mountain,” Johnson remarked. “One natural tie-in with what we’re doing at our school right now is we’re in our 2nd year now of a positive behavior support system. Where rather than just focusing on punitive, we’re focusing on proactive and teaching lessons.”
Woodland Elementary has integrated the DRIVE acronym into their curriculum, fostering a culture of kindness and respect among students. “If you look around this school, we have posters that kids made specifically how to be kind to each other,” Johnson noted. “And it’s really exciting actually, and as a teacher of 26 years, it’s kind of proud. I really love that we’re seeing that shift now toward teaching positive behaviors explicitly as lessons.”
Spreading goodness remains a core priority for First National Bank year-round, as evidenced by their contributions to community endeavors such as the banks creation of the “Stomp the Snow” event which donates to local non-profits annually, and the Teddy Bear Toss which gives toys to children in crisis situations.
As the Spread Goodness Day activities continue, Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Center seeks volunteers to enrich the lives of their residents through entertainment and pet therapy, further exemplifying the spirit of compassion and goodwill embraced by the community.
To find out more on how to volunteer at the nursing home, located at 1805 West Pyle Drive, Kingsford, call (906)- 774-1530
- *Photo is of a past Spread Goodness Day, celebrated by First National Bank and Trust. Photo is courtesy Jean O’Dette, Senior Vice president and Cheif Credit Officer.
