KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, SportsBank Makes Valentine's Day Donation

Bank Makes Valentine's Day Donation

Non-profit organizations constantly have to raise money to keep their organizations running.

Tuesday was the first annual "Give From The Heart" event held by Wyoming State Bank. There was more than $100,000 worth of grants given away to local non-profit organizations.

A couple months ago Wyoming State Bank was trying to think of different ideas to give back to the community, they narrowed it down to one big idea.

"Instead of trying to decide who on a case by case basis should receive some money from the bank we thought it'd be nice to have one day that would give everybody equal footing to receive grants from the bank to help better our communities," said Gary Crum, CEO of Wyoming State Bank.

When deciding on a day to do it they agreed there was one day that would be perfect.

"We thought what day would be better to give those grants than on Valentine's Day, a day when we give back and kind of give from the heart," Crum said.

They received about 150 applications in less than two months. Trying to decide who would not be able to receive money was sometimes heart wrenching.

"In fact some of the meetings there was actually a few tears on I wish we could, but we couldn't fund that organization this year. It was a really, really tough process because they were all worthy applications," Crum said.

Making the final decision was not about what organization was better or worse.

"We're trying to find where the money stretches the longest and where it makes most sense," said Stig Hallingbye, Marketing President of Wyoming State Bank.

For those that didn't receive money they'll get another chance next year.

"Hopefully we'll be able to fund probably some similar organizations as well as some different organizations next year," Crum said.

They plan on this being an annual event to be held every Valentine's Day and next year they hope to give away even more money. Right now they're already taking applications on their website and in person.