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The First Bank recently donated $275,000 to support schools within the Pine Belt area including the Hattiesburg Public School District, Lamar County School District and the Petal School District. Donations to each school were specifically earmarked for the Early Learning Collaborative, a prekindergarten program for students four years of age, which is partially funded by the state of Mississippi and reliant upon donations to achieve full funding.
“At The First, we understand how important early childhood education is and the earlier children can start learning, the better they will do in school throughout the years,” said Chase Blankenship, pine belt division manager for The First. “Donations like this provide our kids with a strong foundation and sets them up for a bright future.”
Throughout the state of Mississippi, The First Bank has donated nearly $300,000 to local school districts in 2024 alone in addition to their contributions to Pine Belt area schools. A strong proponent of education, the bank has awarded over $550,000 to Pine Belt area schools over the last two years.
“It brings me great joy to contribute to our local schools, which dedicate themselves tirelessly, often without recognition, to educate the leaders of tomorrow,” stated Jerome Brown, executive vice president and chief community development officer for The First. “The First is devoted to fostering the growth of our communities, and we believe the most effective way to achieve this is by investing in our youngest and most impressionable individuals.”
Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaborative program reaches 25% of four-year-olds in the state and provides pre-K teachers with the support they need to ensure a quality learning experience. Today, there are 35 ELCs across Mississippi, and each collaborative is required to meet the highest levels of quality as defined by meeting 10 of 10 quality benchmarks set by the National Institute for Early Education Research.
“This generous donation from The First to the Hattiesburg Early Learning Collaborative is a transformative investment in the future of our community,” said Dr. Robert Williams, superintendent of the Hattiesburg Public School District. “The First has been a pioneering partner in supporting early childhood education, demonstrating a commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for our youngest learners. Early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success, and this contribution ensures more children will have access to high-quality educational opportunities during their most critical developmental years.”