Published: December 19, 2008 11:15 pm         

SNB presents checks to local organizations

Two local bankers got to play Santa Claus Thursday and Friday as they presented checks totaling $13,000 to organizations dedicated to helping children.

Brad Blankenship, president of Security National Bank, and Scott Athey, executive vice president, delivered $5,000 to Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma, $5,000 to Enid Public Schools and $3,000 to Booker T. Washington Community Center.

“This is a fun day,” Blankenship said about the bank’s ability to present the funds to the organizations.

Security National Bank gives donations to charities throughout the year; however, a special donation fund set up three years ago with the bank has provided the extra funds for the donations.

“This is a year-end donation, based on the performance of the bank,” Blankenship said.

April Danahy, vice president of corporate communications at SNB, said for its year-end donations, the bank wanted to contribute to organizations that help children.

Youth and Family Services will use its donation to purchase bedding and furnishings for their new shelter.

“We were very pleasantly surprised,” said Justin Simmons, YFS executive director. He said the money will be used to replace some old mattresses and also buy mattresses for new beds. It also will be used to buy sheets and bedspreads.

The $5,000 donation to Enid Public School Foundation puts the foundation over the top in raising $50,000 to receive a matching grant from the James E. and Mary M. Barnes Foundation for SMART Boards.

“This (donation) pushes us over,” said Brian Hayden, EPSF president.

Enid currently has nearly 200 SMART Boards in the district. Each SMART Boards costs just under $3,000.

Individuals schools, the EPSF and privation donations from individuals and businesses are providing SMART Board technology through the Enid district, Hayden said.

Superintendent Shawn Hime and several members of the EPSF board were on hand to receive the donation from the bank.

Clifford Porter, director of Booker T. Washington Community Center, said the $3,000 donation will go toward the center’s after-school program.

The after-school program serves at least 50 children each day, he said. The program provides tutoring, meals and recreational programs.

“We offer the children three main things they need to stay out of trouble — education, recreation and nutrition,” Porter said.

The students receive a hot meal each day and also have the opportunity to play recreational sports through the center. Board members Jeri Neal and Steve Eckert were on hand to receive the donation from the bank.