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First National Bank and Trust Company Partners with Clinton Community Education Foundation in local community gift

December 27, 2017

Clinton, Ill., Monday, Dec. 27, 2017 – First National Bank & Trust Company wrapped up its 2017 community reinvestment efforts delivering a $2,500 donation to the Clinton Community Education Foundation (CCEF), which helped benefit the Annual Derby Day Dinner and Read Across Clinton program.

Fostering an environment of ongoing learning and impacting local youth is a shared core value within both organizations. Earlier this year, First National Bank donated $1,500 toward the Derby Day Dinner, where donations are distributed to necessary projects within the annual fund. Seven projects were administered this year from the annual fund, and one of those included elementary teachers who received virtual reality goggles for a class project.

Another program initiative is Read Across Clinton to which First National Bank recently donated $1,000. This program allows at-risk students more access to books and help in building their home library while developing life-long learning skills. The goal is to help improve student reading, but more importantly, to grow a love of reading and encourage practicing this skill at home with parents and guardians as well.

Each year, CCEF sends low-income students at Clinton Elementary School home with books. On the last day of school, these students visit the reading room to “shop” for books of their very own to read and keep.

“CCEF has been providing that little extra, making a huge difference in classrooms within our community.” Said Rachel Costello, VP of Personal Banking at First National Bank & Trust. “It allows an outlet for our educators to realize their needs and try new things with our children. It is a great partnership and we are honored to be able to assist.”

This was the final gift of First National Bank's 2017 community reinvestment efforts totaling nearly $70,000. This included a 10 Days of Giving social media campaign that led up to Christmas where community members voted for The Vault to receive an additional $500 gift.

To learn more about Clinton Community Education Foundation visit clintonedfoundation.org or on Facebook.

First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois. Dedicated to community prosperity, the bank was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank. The name was changed First National Bank and Trust Company in 1974, and was recently acquired by TS Banking Group in 2017. With $125 million in assets, First National Bank is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its net income back to the community. For more information visit firstnbtc.com.