A place to study

WASHINGON - By 7:30 a.m. Thursday music was turned up, boxes were scattered and volunteers were hard at work inside Hills Bank. United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties partner with Hills Bank employees to build desks and chairs for area students in need.

Patti Fields, Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement for United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties, said they had 29 volunteers putting together 20 desks and chairs. She said the organization works with the schools and local agencies to identify families in need. They can then choose to request a desk and chair for their child.

She said the event was put on last year in Johnson County after learning through the early learning literacy initiative that there were students who did not have their own place to study. Later on Thursday a similar event was put on in Iowa City to service students in the Johnson County area. This year, the initiative was expanded to both counties.

Aaron Schaeffer, Vice President of Investments, Trust and Wealth with Hills Bank said this was the first year he participated in the event. He said he was excited to participate because not only did it offer an opportunity to help area students but offered a chance for co-workers to bond over a nonwork related activity.

He said he participates because he wants to be a good example for his son that giving is better than receiving and doing things for other people is important. He said it also creates a strong bond and community, something Hills Bank values.

Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for Hills Bank, Roger Reilly, agreed, saying by volunteering, employees are able to show the community how much they care. He said he hopes the students who receive the desks also understand the adults of the community are supporting them through these desks and chairs and want them to succeed.

Katie Knight, President of United Way Johnson and Washington Counties, said the build was part of the organizations 100th anniversary celebration. She said seeing so many people show up so early to help area students really drives home their mission of helping as many students as possible.

'A lot of times people just don't have money for furniture because its so expensive and for the children we're trying to reach, we need all the support to feel good about being in school (and) learning. So this creates that special place for them,” she said.