Community Engagement

Paragon Bank Grants 20th Wish for Make-A-Wish Mid-South during its 20th Anniversary Year

03-10-25

Paragon Bank worked with Make-A-Wish Mid-South to grant 19-year-old Eli his wish visiting Alaska to ice fish, ski, chase the Northern Lights and more. This is the 20th consecutive year Paragon has worked with Make-A-Wish Mid-South to grant the wish of a local child or teen.

“Paragon began supporting Make-A-Wish in 2004, before we were officially chartered as a bank,” said Robert Shaw, Chief Executive Officer at Paragon Bank. “Maintaining this wish granting tradition every year is essential for our team; it reflects our commitment to the community and our desire to support the wish children.”

Paragon team members recreated an episode of Survivor for Eli and his family to compete in. Eli’s family made up the Grizzly team, while five Team Paragon Members made up the Polar team. Each group of contestants had to complete a specific set of challenges, earning game pieces, while moving around a challenge course that consisted of five stations. Paragon Team Members also staffed and assisted at each of the five stations. The Grizzlies and the Polars were instructed to complete the five challenges, including an untying ropes challenge, a throwing challenge, constructing an “ice” pyramid challenge, an “ice” fishing challenge and stacking a totem.

“Paragon’s partnership with us creates exception experiences for wish kids,” enthused Gretchen Klobucar, Director of Development for Make-A-Wish Mid-South. “Not only does their financial support help us grant local wishes in Memphis and across the Mid-South, but also their creative dedication to over-the-top wish celebrations provides lasting memories for everyone involved – wish kids, their families, their employees and ours, and volunteers.”

As part of the bank’s Assisting the Community Through Service (A.C.T.S.) program, Paragon employees donated their time and efforts to prepare for and take part in the event. This year was especially meaningful, as long-time, original employee, Lisa Word — Real Estate Lending Officer, is retiring after 20 years. Word has worked on all 20 of Paragon’s wish grantings. “It is an honor to be a part of granting wishes to the Make-A-Wish kids,” Word said. “I am so glad to be a part of a team with such passion, imagination and creativity in carrying out these wishes.”

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