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Left to Right: Guillermo Sandoval, Bonnie Bowton, Matt Tucker |
Bonnie Bowton, Vice President and Retail Branch Manager for our Walla Walla Main Branch, was presented with the 2007 3rd Quarter award for “Doing the Right Thing” as a result of her involvement with the American Red Cross, Paint the Town and the Walla Walla Christian Aid Center.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers whose mission is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Bonnie first became involved with the Red Cross when she was approached to be a table sponsor for the Blue Mountain chapters’ Hometown Heroes Breakfast. Each year, the local chapter of the Red Cross honors eight individuals from the community who have been recognized as “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” The categories range from good Samaritans, youth mentors, animal rescues, and law enforcement/ 911 rescues. In 2007, Banner Bank presented the award for the animal rescue person of the year.
After the success of the Hometown Hero’s Breakfast, and after seeing what great work the American Red Cross does helping victims of natural disaster, it was easy for Bonnie to say yes when the Director asked her to become a board member.
Another event that Bonnie became heavily involved in this year was Paint the Town. Sponsored by Banner Bank, its mission was to better the life of an elderly or disabled individual by painting their home, free of charge to them, with the help of volunteers from the bank. After finding the local home in need of painting, Bonnie took the project one step further and placed a phone call on behalf of the homeowner to the Blue Mountain Action Council to get him on a list for a program that would complete more extensive repairs on the home.
In late September, Bonnie and other Banner Bank volunteers spent two weekends priming and painting the local home and completing yard work. Many neighbors complimented the Banner team on how nice the house looked and thanked them for taking on the project. In 2008, thanks to Bonnie’ phone call, the Blue Mountain Action Council will install air-conditioning, windows and a new roof on the home.
Bonnie also helps change the lives of others who are less fortunate by volunteering for the Walla Walla Christian Aid Center. The Christian Aid Center is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that serves Walla Walla’s homeless and low-income population. After noticing a homeless man who happened to walk by her office window every morning, Bonnie called the Christian Aid Center to find out how she could help. The Center told Bonnie about businesses, churches and other organizations that each make dinner once a month in the kitchen to serve between 45-85 hungry individuals. After witnessing the process firsthand, she committed her staff at the Main Office to make a dinner, hoping they would want to keep doing it. Through word of mouth, offers of help poured in, and now the second Friday of each month is Banner Bank day at the Center.
In recognition of Bonnie’s community involvement, Banner Bank has presented her with a plaque, a day off with pay and a $1,000 donation to the charity of her choice. Bonnie chose to give her donation to the Walla Walla Humane Society.