Bankers volunteer for public television’s Festival fundraising campaign

JOHNSTON, IOWA (March 3, 2022) — More than 20 bankers from banks across the state helped kick off Iowa PBS’ annual pledge drive, known as Festival, this past Saturday. Volunteers answered pledge phones from 5-11 p.m., taking over 100 calls to help raise $17,398 for Iowa PBS. Festival will continue through midnight March 14.

“The Iowa Bankers Association has had a longstanding partnership with Iowa PBS because we share common goals and values. Both of our organizations are dedicated to the communities we serve and we want to see Iowans succeed,” said Tara Deering-Hansen, the IBA’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Through its quality programming, Iowa PBS educates, enriches and inspires Iowans of all ages. And Iowa banks strive to do the same through the financial products and services, financial literacy programs and lending they provide individuals and small business owners.”

The IBA and Iowa banks have been involved with Festival for 24 years, beginning in 1998. And this year’s volunteers represented six different banks from across the state in addition to the association.

“This was my 20th year volunteering with the IBA at Festival,” said Dee Winebrenner, a retiree of Great Western Bank in Leon. “We enjoy volunteering to answer phones and take pledges for Iowa PBS because Iowa PBS is a very important part of our lives and we want to make sure it is still around for our grandchildren and their children. The camaraderie of the group of IBA folks is awesome, and we love seeing old friends and making new ones.”