In partnership with respective parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), SouthEast Bank recently donated $11,000 to Northeast Elementary School and $25,000 to Avery Trace Middle School in Cookeville, Tennessee. These donations represent one-half of the funds required to complete key initiatives named by each PTO: an outdoor classroom and playground at Northeast, and restroom facilities for the expanded athletic fields at Avery Trace. Combined, the bank’s donations positively impact nearly 1,200 students, as well as teachers, staff, families, and visitors.
At Northeast, the purpose of updating its recreational fittings was also educational, to expand opportunities for outdoor classes, science experiments, lunches, and more. The Northeast PTO raised $11,000 to purchase awnings, and SouthEast Bank’s matching donation went toward picnic tables, together furnishing a sheltered, comfortable space for students to play and learn. SouthEast Bank is one of many local businesses and institutions that have “adopted” Northeast by raising funds, volunteering, and more, through a programmatic partnership recently revitalized by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
About a mile down the road, Avery Trace Middle School hosts a robust sports program with football, soccer, and baseball fields. However, while expanding this area to include a softball field and athletic equipment, the Avery Trace PTO identified a need to install restroom facilities to serve the student-athletes, their families, and support staff, since there had been no such facilities near the fields to date. The PTO raised $25,000 to cover the cost of the new softball field and part of the restroom construction, while SouthEast Bank closed the gap with a further $25,000. Construction of these recreational areas and facilities is ongoing and, when completed, will mark a new chapter for Avery Trace athletics.
Local SouthEast Bank branch managers Donna Robinson and Matthew Furcean, Loan Officer Jeremy Jones, as well as City President Steve Forgey represented the institution during formal check presentations to both Northeast and Avery Trace. “SouthEast Bank holds a deeply-rooted commitment to education,” says Forgey. “We could not be more pleased to be able to support our local schools with quality facilities, which will certainly help students grow healthy minds and bodies.”
About SouthEast Bank:
SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.
For more information, visit www.southeastbank.com or call 1-844-732-2657.
Media Contact:
Mary Seward
SouthEast Bank Marketing Manager
mseward@southeastbank.com
865-352-1262
