Southern Pines, N.C., Dec. 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After receiving more than 2,500 entries from across North Carolina and South Carolina, First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, selected two winners to share a $25,000 prize during the second quarter of its “Dream It. Do It.” campaign.
Bryan Bennett, a firefighter from Florence, South Carolina, was awarded $5,000 towards a down payment on a home. The family of Jamie Adams, a 13-year-old from Washington, North Carolina, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at age three, was given $20,000 towards building a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of her family’s home.
First Bank, the largest community bank headquartered in North Carolina, launched the “Dream It. Do It.” campaign in April to highlight its commitment to serving the people of the Carolinas. As part of the year-long program, First Bank will award $100,000 to deserving individuals to help them realize their dreams. Every three months, up to $25,000 will be given to winners selected by a committee of First Bank employees in partnership with a nonprofit organization. Kids Making It, a Wilmington, North Carolina,-based nonprofit that uses woodworking to teach life and entrepreneurial skills to at-risk youth, was the partner for the second quarter of the contest and received a $10,000 donation from First Bank for its participation.
“The ‘Dream It. Do It.’ contest submissions have all been inspiring. We have received so many heartwarming entries from hopeful dreamers, their friends and their loved ones,” said Michael Mayer, president and CEO of First Bank. “It is incredibly gratifying, not just to me, but to the entire First Bank team to play a small part in giving back to those who inspire their families and communities each and every day.”
In addition to working for the Howe Springs Fire Department, Bennett volunteered countless hours helping with the Hurricane Matthew relief efforts and is active in supporting local charities and causes in the community.
Bennett’s entry was sent in by his sister, Mandy Simpson, who wrote: “My brother works so hard and gives so much to our community, but because of the limited salaries of firefighters and his selfless contributions, he’s found it difficult to save enough money for a down payment on a home... I can assure you, no one is more deserving than this local hometown hero.”
Adams was entered by her mom Jessica Adams, to help build a handicap accessible bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of their home to help give Jamie the independence she craves. The total cost of the project is $63,000, an amount they were able to bring down to $43,000 with pledges for hands-on help from friends skilled in home repair and plumbing projects. After fundraising and utilizing support services, the family was still short about $20,000.
In her entry, Jessica Adams wrote: “Jamie is the most independent kid in the world, but is unable to wash her hands in her own home without assistance. Our house has now become Jamie’s biggest obstacle in her independence. We have been able to work through about half the funding, but the remaining has been a struggle.”
The “Dream It. Do It.” contest is open to all individuals who live in North Carolina or South Carolina, and individuals can either nominate themselves or someone else. For official contest rules or to submit an entry, visit any First Bank location or www.localfirstbank.com/dreamitdoit.
About First Bancorp
First Bancorp is the holding company for First Bank and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The company currently operates 95 bank branches, with 89 branches operating in North Carolina and six branches in South Carolina (Cheraw, Dillon, Florence and Latta). A full-service community bank, First Bank provides best-in-class financial solutions, advice and technology to manage a home or business. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining a range of cutting-edge digital tools with helpful local expertise. First Bancorp’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FBNC. Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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