First Financial Bank Leads 10th Annual Day of Service with Focus on Flood Recovery

SAN ANGELO, TX — First Financial Bank employees will trade their day off for a day of service on Monday as part of the bank’s 10th annual “Day of Service,” joining other local and statewide banks in volunteering to help San Angelo flood victims recover.

The initiative, which takes place each year on Columbus Day when banks are closed, began with First Financial Bank and has now expanded statewide through the Texas Bankers Association. This year marks the first time the association has encouraged community banks across Texas to take part.

“We’ve asked our employees to come and give community hours to help nonprofits,” said Chris Evatt of First Financial Bank. “The neat thing about this year is that the Texas Bankers Association picked up the idea and rolled it out to all Texas community banks.”

Locally, three other San Angelo banks — Texas State Bank, The Bank and Trust, and Lone Oak Bank — have joined the effort. Together, they will contribute more than 125 volunteers to work on flood recovery projects in partnership with Galilee Community Development Corporation and the United Way of the Concho Valley.

“This year, we wanted to do something that could give back to those flood victims,” Evatt said. “We’re going to help repair about 10 homes in the flooded area with wallboard and insulation to get them ready before winter.”

Volunteers will also assist at the United Way warehouse, organizing donations and assembling supply kits for families still recovering from the July 4 flood that damaged numerous homes in north San Angelo.

Many of those affected did not have flood insurance, Evatt said, leaving them dependent on community support and local nonprofits. The San Angelo Area Foundation has managed much of the local relief funding, and the Texas Bankers Association recently donated $50,000 to the foundation to aid recovery efforts.

Evatt said the coordination among banks, nonprofits, and local leaders — including Galilee CDC’s director, Stephanie, who identified homes most in need of repair — reflects San Angelo’s spirit of unity.