ChoiceOne Bank Employees Close 2022 with Multiple Community Donations

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Dec 29, 2022, 12:00 ET

SPARTA, Mich., Dec. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., and ChoiceOne Bank (NASDAQ: COFS) ("ChoiceOne") are pleased to recognize the donations ChoiceOne employees have made this year. Through an employee Jean Day program, multiple donations are made to local nonprofits throughout the year and at yearend.

"Many companies offer blue-jean Fridays; however, ChoiceOne's Jean Day program is different. Our employees commit to supporting our local nonprofits whether they wear blue jeans or not, on the designated Friday, and they have the donation regularly withdrawn from their paychecks," said ChoiceOne President Michael Burke, Jr. "This is a pledge our employees choose to make. I am incredibly proud of them and the commitment they make to our customers and the communities we serve. They continue to amaze me with the compassionate and generous spirits they bring to our Bank every day."

ChoiceOne employees initiated a Jean Day program years ago to raise money for local nonprofits. Employees make biweekly donations to the Jean Day fund which allows them to wear jeans to work on designated Fridays. Surveys are sent to the employees to gage their interest in supporting different causes and organizations. As the money is collected throughout the year, it is distributed to local nonprofits selected by the employees. Most of the nonprofits are selected because one or more employees are volunteers with a particular organization in their community.

These are the nonprofits in ChoiceOne's West Market that received Jean Day donations in 2022.

Beautiful You by Profile - Comstock Park
Community Action House - Holland
Coopersville Cares - Coopersville
Food Hugs - Comstock Park/Grand Rapids
i understand love heals - Grand Rapids
K9 Camo Companions - Sparta
Lori's Voice - Coopersville
SECOM - Grand Rapids
Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect - Newaygo County
No More Sidelines – Kent County
Every Woman's Place – Muskegon
Lighthouse for Veterans – Muskegon
Pioneer Resources – Muskegon

"Most of our employees have opted into our Jean Day program held on Fridays, allowing them to wear blue jeans to work," explains Vice President, Treasury Management Officer Carrie Olson, also the Chair of the Nonprofit Committee responsible for the Jean Day fund. "We collect the money through voluntary paycheck deductions so it's easy to donate. Employees complete a survey selecting the causes and organizations to consider for donations. The Committee reviews the surveys and determines the nonprofits to support and the amount available to distribute to the selected nonprofits. We strive to use these funds to support local nonprofits, so our money stays in our communities, just like the Bank lends out locally. Our Jean Day has created a fun and worthy opportunity for ChoiceOne employees to support our local nonprofits."

These are the nonprofits in ChoiceOne's East Market that received Jean Day donations in 2022 and joined in a celebratory breakfast for 'May'king a Difference in May of 2022.

OHA Missions Inc – Plymouth
Habitat for Humanity of Lapeer-Tuscola
Lapeer County Agricultural Society
Love Inc of North Oakland County
Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County
Armada Agricultural Society – Armada
Lapeer County Animal Shelter
Stone Soup Food Bank – Lapeer
Paradise Animal Rescue – Lapeer
Lapeer County Explorers
Saving Grace Miniature Horse Rescue – St Clair County
The Council on Aging Inc – St Clair County
Capac Historical Society – Capac
Four County Community Foundation – Almont
Love INC of Greater Lapeer – Lapeer County

About ChoiceOne

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank, named one of America's Best Banks by Newsweek, operates 35 offices in parts of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Macomb counties. ChoiceOne is an approximately $2.4 billion-asset bank holding company making it the 10th largest bank holding company in Michigan based on asset size. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "COFS." For more information, please visit Investor Relations at ChoiceOne's website choiceone.com.