Community Support

Fire Relief and Recovery Efforts

In response to the devastating fires over the past few years, Savings Bank and its employees donated more than $56,500 to assist with the relief and recovery efforts in Lake and Mendocino Counties. In addition to monetary donations, employees donated needed supplies to distribution centers which provided the fire evacuees and those who lost their homes with new and gently used material goods. Also, the Bank and its employees played a key role in event coordination as well as providing cash handling and bank card processing services for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Mendocino Strong Together fundraising events.

Casual for a Cause – Denim Days

More than $100,000 has been donated to local non-profit organizations through our ‘Casual For A Cause – Denim Days’ program since it began! The idea for this program began with a group of Savings Bank employees who wanted an additional way to make a difference in our communities. Every Friday and Saturday employees have the opportunity to dress casual by wearing denim jeans to work while supporting a variety of local non-profit organizations through voluntary donations. Each month employees at a designated banking center or department select the organization of their choice which will benefit by the bank-wide monthly contributions and matching funds of up to $500 each month from the Bank. This effort has made a significant impact in our communities!

Shred Events

Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, reputation, and can take time, money and patience to resolve. Shredding confidential financial documents and paperwork is one way to deter criminals from stealing personal information. This is why Savings Bank has teamed up with Integrity Shred to offer the public an opportunity to shred outdated confidential documents. The shred events are typically held in late spring in Ukiah, Willits, Lakeport and Fort Bragg.

Keeping Our Community Clean

SBMC employees participate in a variety of community cleanup days throughout the year such as Adopt-A-Highway, Ukiah Valley Trail Group, PacOut Green Team and Beach Cleanup Days. We aspire to make a difference as environmental stewards to maintain the beautiful open spaces along the roads, trails, riverfronts and beaches in the communities where we call home.

Free Children’s Health Fair

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley and Savings Bank have partnered with a coalition of community organizations since 2009 to provide children 0 to 12 years old and their families with health screenings for scoliosis, diabetes, vision and hearing along with fun hands-on information booths on subjects such as pediatrics, dentistry, nutrition, exercise, asthma, mental health and low or no cost community services. Additionally, there is a bike safety course with free safety helmets distributed to those in need. This event is held the first Sunday in October.

Scarecrow City at PumpkinFest

Savings Bank has coordinated the Scarecrow City attraction at the Ukiah Country PumpkinFest since 1996. Scarecrows are sponsored by local businesses and created by local participating classrooms and youth groups. Each classroom and youth group receive a monetary contribution in addition to the ribbons that are awarded to each entry and cash awards that are presented to the first, second and third place winners.

Mendo Human Race

Savings Bank has been a proud sponsor and part of the event planning committee since the Mendo Human Race began in 2006. Each year our employees join together on teams to raise funds for non-profit organizations that provide vital services in our community. The day of the event, participants who are on teams from all areas of Mendocino County come together to show their support for a variety of organizations that they are representing by raising funds and walking/running the 5k course which winds through the beautiful west side of Ukiah.

Teach Children to Save

Good habits start early in life and the savings habit brings lifelong benefits. That’s why Savings Bank employees visit local classrooms to teach the American Bankers Association Foundation Teach Children to Save lessons. Students learn about the important first steps to spending wisely and developing a greater appreciation of saving.

Junior Achievement

Savings Bank employees join others in the community each year to teach five Junior Achievement lessons to second grade students. The lessons focus on the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, encouraging young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Safe Banking For Seniors

Scammers are always developing new ways to take advantage of people, and sadly, they often target senior citizens. This is why Savings Bank participates in the Safe Banking for Seniors program established by the American Bankers Association Foundation. This is a national campaign of banker volunteers working to educate older consumers and their financial caregivers about the risks of fraud and financial abuse and how to protect themselves and their loved ones.