Wayland State Bank donates to 2 groups

MT. PLEASANT - Wayland State Bank is continuing its annual donations to local organizations.

Mt. Pleasant branch President Chad Hudson delivered the checks to the various programs on Wednesday morning.

'We've been doing this probably since we got into town in 1997,” he said of when the annual donations began.

This year, the bank has chosen to donate $1,000 each to Mt. Pleasant Christian School and Cradle of Hope.

Tina Hill, administrator for the school, said the local private school is working on developing its industrial arts program. Currently, it is looking to expand its computer classes and provide a greenhouse for students to work in.

'In the past, our priority was getting them ready for a college or university, and so now we're shifting how we're doing things because of the change in times. We want to build a quality industrial arts program so that when they leave here, whether entering the work force or college, they're ready,” Hill said.

Peggy Knudsen, director of Cradle of Hope, said in a year of unexpected challenges, donors to the program have not wavered.

'We wouldn't be able to do this without them,” she said.

The director said the donation would go toward their Earn While You Learn program, through which local expecting mothers can earn Mommy Money by taking child-rearing classes. The money can then be spent at Cradle of Hope for various baby items including car seats, baby beds and diapers.