Paying it forward is about all people, from all walks of life, giving to someone else and making a positive difference. Arvest Bank associates throughout the Joplin region embraced the spirit of giving this holiday season, performing random acts of kindness in all 10 of the communities we serve. Each year, Arvest associates from all 16 of our branches come together for one special day where we “pay it forward.”
On this dedicated day, we celebrate and act on the belief that each of us has the power to better someone’s life simply by doing small favors, often anonymously, with hope that the recipient pays the favor forward by helping someone else. This year, more than ever, the need is great in our communities. Be it the smallest act of paying $5 towards groceries, or at the gas pump, or towards a past due utility bill, these acts set into motion a ripple effect of positivity, of generosity, of hope.
This year’s “Pay it Forward Day” was held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, as each of our branches were given $100 to go out and perform acts of kindness, with the intent to spread joy! Our associates give each year in so many different ways; paying off past due lunch accounts for kids in our schools, working with our utility providers to pay a gas or electric bill for someone in need, covering the adoption fees at local animal shelters, or delivering care packages to senior centers, our local emergency responders, and meals and notes of encouragement to our local healthcare heroes. Those small acts of kindness inspire the best of us, and our hope is that recipients or witnesses are also inspired to pay it forward, in whatever giving capacity they have to offer.
To spread even more kindness to the masses this year, we teamed up with a local radio station and invited community members to join Arvest Bank in the spirit of giving. We asked listeners across our Joplin region throughout Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas to share what THEY would do to pay it forward with $100 from Arvest Bank. Five listeners were randomly selected to receive $100 from Arvest to pay it forward in their community! Listeners shared stories on the air and on social media of how they would give back. Their warm-hearted comments and ideas are nothing less than inspiring.
The stories of joy, of giving, of offering the smallest gift of goodwill and the lasting impact it has on our associates alone is astounding, but the impact it has on those receiving is powerful. We look forward to continuing to give back and to make this holiday season a little brighter through acts of kindness. We hope that you join Arvest Bank in the spirit of giving, during the holidays and beyond, as we pay it forward.