Michelle Lesher (left) from Associated Bank presents a check for $250 to Pattie Carroll from Dodge County UW-Extension. Lesher was awarded a $250 grant by Associated Bank for her volunteer efforts in 2013.

Associated Bank recently acknowledged the efforts of its volunteers for 2013, including Michelle Lesher from Beaver Dam who volunteers with Dodge County Coalition for Financial Education (DCCFE), through UW-Extension Dodge County. Lesher was awarded with a $250 grant for the non-profit organization.

DCCFE’s initiative is in building a coalition which provides workshops, educational programs, trainings and mentoring across Dodge County. Through education and skill building, DCCFE will assist Dodge County residents in increasing their financial knowledge, building savings and attaining assets.

"As a volunteer in Dodge County, I focus my efforts on financial education in the communities I serve, in essence helping people prepare for and to protect their futures,” said Lesher. “Associated Bank makes it possible for me to volunteer and support the DCCFE, Money Smart Week, Junior Achievement, the PALS program and Make a Difference Wisconsin.”

In 2013, Associated employees across the three state footprint volunteered more than 47,000 hours. The top 20 volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours (at least 290 each), and another 253 employees each logged more than 50 volunteer hours.

“Colleague volunteer hours in 2013 topped 47,524, exceeding 2012 by 10,000 hours,” said Cliff Bowers, director of public relations, Associated Bank. “Associated is committed to giving back to its communities, and hundreds of colleagues do just that — by serving as donors, organizers, leaders, inspirers and doers.”

Associated’s philanthropy reflects the people, the culture and the spirit of the company. Colleagues are actively engaged in the charitable process to help identify nonprofit organizations and causes that best address the unique needs of communities across Associated’s footprint. Associated encourages and supports colleague volunteerism efforts by providing the internal resources that help connect colleagues with the nonprofit organizations that meet their personal passion for community involvement.