Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward: A New Tradition

Since 2007, when State Bank & Trust first gave its employees the opportunity to "pay it forward" to those in need, more than a million dollars has been given through the bank's Pay It Forward project. Last year, with Pay It Forward novelist Catherine Ryan Hyde as our special guest, we announced that we were replicating State Bank & Trust's Pay It Forward program in 2009. Employees took the challenge, carefully considering the many needs in our communities and our world.

For 2010, with those needs greater than ever, we are excited to announce that Pay It Forward is here to stay. Not only are we replicating Pay It Forward again this year, but we are planning to make it a tradition for years to come. Every year, every full-time employee will receive $1,000 and every part-time employee $500 to use to help others - a total commitment of more than half a million dollars this year. Each employee will choose how they want to use their Pay It Forward funds to help individuals, families or organizations in need.

On this Web site, you will find new stories of giving. Several employees made their money grow by enlisting the help of others, or made sure their gifts were matched by local foundations. Some teamed with schools or churches. Others connected with one individual or family who inspired them to give.

It is our hope that in reading these stories, you may be moved to post a need, adopt a cause, donate to our Pay It Forward program, or choose your own Pay It Forward project. We know that each time we Pay It Forward, we are repaid many times over, in ways we cannot describe. We hope all of you will share in the joy of lending a hand where the needs are greatest.

Michael Solberg, President
State Bank & Trust