For Alpine Bank’s 50th anniversary, President Glen Jammaron said they wanted to do something big. The objective was to raise $2.5 million for nonprofits — a number Jammaron referred to as a stretch of a goal. However, considering that half a century is a significant milestone, the bank didn’t shy away from setting such a lofty one.
“We weren’t going to play it safe,” Jammaron stated in a press release. “It’s not the Alpine way.” The 2023 fundraising efforts from Alpine Bank came in just short of its target, at $2.35 million. Organizations across Colorado reaped the benefits.
The Dimes for Debit Card Program started back in 1997. Every time an Alpine Bank debit card holder uses their card, the bank will donate 10 cents to a nonprofit local to that customer’s hometown bank.
“Dimes donated grew from $2.01 million in 2022 to $2.35 million in 2023,” continued the press release. “Colorado communities in the Front Range, mountains, and Western Slope benefited from monies raised in these seven card categories: Arts ($352,513), Community ($734,091), Environment ($535,400), Education ($305,638), Colorado Mountain College ($103,219), Children’s Hospital Colorado ($285,000) and Fort Lewis College ($33,000.”
Additionally, in light of 50 years, Alpine Bank provided each employee a $500 voucher to go toward a nonprofit of their choice — but one the bank has donated to before.
“We have a list of 900 charities we’ve given to over the last two years,” explained Jammaron. He added that out of 863 employees, 852 opted to participate.
Jammaron is based at the Alpine Bank headquarters in Glenwood Springs. When asked which charity he chose to give his $500 to, he said he found one he didn’t previously know about but was doing valuable work.
“I chose the [Western Slope Veterans Coalition (WSVC)] in Glenwood Springs,” he told The Sopris Sun. “I have always been very appreciative of veterans.” WSVC was established in 2015, after two local veterans sadly took their own lives: Jesse Beckius and Casey Owens. The WSVC website states that its goal is to improve the lives of veterans.
A top Roaring Fork Valley nonprofit recipient was Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE). The shelter’s executive director, Wes Boyd, wrote in an email how grateful CARE is for continued support from Alpine Bank that goes toward finding homes for animals.
“Funds donated to the shelter through Alpine Bank’s Community Debit Card Program remind us of our community’s strong desire to give back,” wrote Boyd. “Individually, these contributions may be small, but collectively they make a big impact for our shelter pets. We are thankful for Alpine Bank’s ongoing sponsorship, their team of employees who choose to donate to CARE and programs like the Community Debit Card that provide support throughout the year.”
In 2023, 515 pets were adopted through CARE: 15 guinea pigs, four rabbits, 217 dogs and 279 cats.
“They [CARE] got $6,000 in donations so that means 12 people said ‘I want my money to go to that program,’” Jammaron stated.
For 2024, the Alpine Bank website states it’ll be striving for “24 in ‘24.” Since 2006, the bank has provided employees with 24 hours of paid volunteer time, encouraging them to get involved in their communities. The objective for 2024 is that employees will apply all 24 hours of volunteer time.
“I think every place where we have a bank is a better place to live, work or raise a family,” concluded Jammaron. “To a great degree that’s because our people are engaged with their community.”