First Security Bank*

Community involvement through volunteerism is an important part of First Security Bank’s Clarksville operation.

During 2005, the 37-member bank staff served up more than 4,500 hours of volunteer labor valued at about $80,000 in addition to outright cash donations of $35,000.

“We have always felt that volunteering was a natural part of our job,” said Cole Martin, bank president.

The bank has a long-term commitment of support for the Forrester-Davis Development Center, an agency serving children and adults with disabilities.

First Security organized major fund-raisers for the center with more than $20,000 in contributions and donated 1,230 hours of service including “on-the-clock” hours worth more than $3,000 and equipment and furnishings valued at more than $10,000.

Work with nonprofits involves a wide range of groups, including youth sports teams, the Clarksville Education Foundation, Johnson County school systems and the Johnson County Leadership Training.

The bank provided professional sound and lighting equipment with technical staff for local events with an in-kind value of more than $11,000 and made available lines of credit to nonprofits at preferential rates.

Staffers serve on governing boards and committees at Johnson Regional Medical Center, University of the Ozarks and Johnson County Fair Association.

First Security personnel devoted 485 service hours (364 hours of which were on-the-clock) to the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce during 2005.

They also contribute three local firefighter volunteers, including a fire chief, who work on the clock when emergencies occur during banking hours.

The bank staff views philanthropy and service as vital components to enhancing the quality of life for Johnson County citizens.