On December 1st, The Claxton Bank came together with Tippins Bank and South Georgia Bank to organize the first annual Battle of the Banks Food Drive.  The drive ran for two weeks.  All three banks were encouraged to market the event and engage with customers and employees to raise awareness and to collect money and non-perishable food items for The Evans County Christian Food Bank.  Each item or dollar donated counted as one point, and the bank with the most points at the end of the event would win bragging rights for the next year. 
 
The event went off without a hitch and was a resounding success.  All three banks were able to collect a grand total of 5,403 units of food and $1,260 dollars cash to help fill the shelves and provide food to families in need throughout the holidays and well into the next year. 
 
The Food Bank’s Executive Director, Melanie Hendrix, and Office Manager Sally Foy were among those receiving the donated food. “We are so grateful to the Banks, who make up the heart of our local business community, for coming up with this effort and for each of them working so hard to help our area with additional food for the Holidays and beyond,” Melanie commented. Sally added, “It is obvious from the huge quantity of food here that the effort and the competition was real, and really appreciated! It looks like not only will they enable us to properly feed our clients through the Holidays, but hopefully on into January and February - those cold winter months).”

​Peach State Bank, Gainesville, recently held Festive Day at the bank. Check out some of their cute and ugly Christmas sweaters!

​Planters First, Cordele, held a Christmas Customer Appreciation Event featuring The Grinch, photo opportunities, giveaways and more!

​Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, recently hosted two Customer Appreciation Pop-Up events at the bank’s Main Office and Bogart locations. The bank was proud to partner with ESP’s Java Joy, Chick-fil-A, and Nedza’s to bring customers and the community a little extra joy and appreciation this holiday season! Visitors were treated to Java Joy coffee, Chick-fil-A breakfast, a Nedza’s takeaway edible, a commemorative OSB 60th anniversary mug, and a special time of fellowship and unity!
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In addition, volunteers from Oconee State Bank, Watkinsville, were thankful for the recent opportunity to serve the local community with ACTS!