Paragon Employees Support Neighborhood Christian Center

04-24-13

Paragon
National Bank recently supported the efforts of several
employees who volunteered their time and creativity to the Neighborhood
Christian Centers, Inc.’s (NCC) 8th Annual Spring Jam as part of the
bank’s Assisting the Community Through Service (ACTS) program. Employees who
participated were able to help NCC simulate a trip to Japan for nearly 1,300
students and adults during spring break.

“We are
proud to support the Neighborhood Christian Center, which provides programs and
events that help enhance and shape the lives of students and adults in our
community,” said Robert Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Paragon National Bank.
“We encourage our employees to give back through our ACTS program and those who
supported the NCC Spring Jam really enjoyed helping with such a unique and fun
event.”

Through
the bank’s ACTS program, each Paragon employee is granted one week of paid time
to support the nonprofit organizations of their choosing. Since the program’s
inception in 2005, Paragon employees have contributed more than 2,000 hours to
community organizations around the Mid-South.

Earlier
this year, Paragon hosted an informational lunch event for employees to learn
about NCC’s mission and encourage participation in its Spring Jam, which
simulates a trip for students and adults to learn about life in another country
during spring break. The latest trip took visitors to visit the Japanese cities
of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

Eight
employees decided to devote time to help, including Pamela Caviness, Vice
President Property Manager; Dorothy L. Cleaves, First Vice President Private
Banking; Pam Hibler, Deposit Operations/Customer Service; Mary E. Jackson,
Private Banking Associate; Scott Penny, Interactive Solutions Support; Margie
Smith, Executive Assistant; Chad Tribble, Financial Services Associate; and
Lisa Word, Residential Real Estate Associate.

The
Paragon employees donated more than 35 hours to assist NCC in transforming its
office to include an airplane and customs area, as well as a Japanese restaurant
and school. Caviness and Jackson helped to create passports for the students,
while Smith, Cleaves and Word assisted with creating the inside of the airplane
for the visitors’ flight. Tribble helped with setup of the event, including
building a ferris wheel, and Hibler helped create curtains for the airplane.
Penny helped build the airplane frame, as well as built and painted Japanese
shades.

“I really
enjoyed the projects and teamwork, but overall, it was great assisting an
organization that is doing something great for our community,” said Penny. “The
volunteers were incredibly energetic and excited, which made it very clear that
they loved and wholeheartedly believed in NCC and its mission.”