Submitted by: Peoples Bank
Sharon Butler, commercial lending assistant at the Peoples Bank Lynden branch, was recently selected as the company’s 2018 Community Stewardship Award recipient. Presented to an employee who regularly volunteers their time and resources to enhance, preserve, and promote a thriving community, Butler was recognized for her involvement with Lynden-based mentorship program, Be the One, as well as her contributions as a volunteer with the Bellingham Community Meal Program and American Red Cross.
Sharon’s nearly four-year dedication to Be the One clearly made an impression upon her colleagues who nominate and vote for the annual award recipient. Be the One was founded on the idea that every successful young person has in his or her life at least one stable relationship with a caring adult. The organization pairs volunteer mentors with middle and high school students, and each mentor meets with his or her mentee for one hour per week during the school year.
Having grown up in a military family that moved around a great deal, Sharon has considerable empathy for young people whose circumstances may be somewhat unstable. “I just feel that it takes so little to change anything in life,” says Sharon. “Who doesn’t have an hour each week to invest in someone else?”
Being part of the community is very important to Sharon and representing Peoples Bank in Lynden is also meaningful. “This is where Peoples Bank first set down its roots in Washington nearly 100 years ago. It has created a sense of security and friendship for the community,” says Sharon. “Even though I didn’t grow up here, I feel right at home. The management at Peoples Bank wants us to be involved in the community not for gain, but because we, as an organization, care about people. It’s a phenomenal place to work.”
For more information about Be the One, to get involved, and to see a video of Sharon in action, please visit https://www.betheonetoday.org/our-stories/.
About Peoples Bank:
Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated, independent full-service community bank with over $1.6 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, the Bank was founded in 1921 and operates 24 branches located throughout Washington. In its most recent rating, Bauer Financial, a leading independent bank rating firm, awarded Peoples Bank its highest five-star superior rating. This rating recognizes Peoples Bank’s strong financial management practices, dedicated employees and long-standing customer relationships. Learn more at https://www.peoplesbank-wa.com/.