Community & Events

Western State Bank New Accounts Representative Janet Villatoro presents a donation to Garden City Arts Director Katy Guthrie. The donation was made possible by the employee-driven Casual for a Cause program. The program is made up of donations from our employees, who select a different charity each month. They submit their donation in exchange for the chance to participate in casual Friday (jeans day). We're proud of the difference they continue to make.

Western State Bank employees David Mongeau, Sarah Waller, and Gaby Sanchez present a donation to Carrie Anne Ellison from Miles of Smiles. The donation was made possible by the employee-driven Casual for a Cause program. The program is made up of donations from our employees, who select a different charity each month. They submit their donation in exchange for the chance to participate in casual Friday (jeans day). We're proud of the difference they continue to make.

Our Leoti banking center organized a drive-thru hamburger and hot dog feed to help raise money for the Wichita County Junior Senior High School athletic department. 
The WCJSHS athletic department normally raises 100% of its funds from sporting event concession stands; unfortunately, concession stands cannot open this year. The Leoti banking center's drive-thru event brought in nearly $1,300.  Special thanks to the City of Leoti for shutting down J Street on such short notice, and to the event volunteers for all your work putting on this fundraiser. Your time and efforts made a difference.

Our Garden City team provided custom, gaiter-style masks for nearly 500 students and staff members at Kenneth Henderson Middle School. Garden City schools are requiring masks for all students and staff until the expiration of the governor's mask order. Our Garden City banking center is matched with Kenneth Henderson Middle School through the Partners in Education program, and we were happy to help KH students and staff meet this requirement. 

Our Garden City banking center was proud to sponsor the 13th Annual Banner Art Walk on Saturday, Aug. 8. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Art Walk featured a revised format allowing for more social distancing. Western State Bank Relationship Development Manager Cassie Gonzales volunteered at the event, serving complimentary bottled water to all attendees.

Dodge City Mortgage Loan Officers, Martha Reynoso and Justine Kruger recently presented at the Community Housing Association of Dodge City's Homebuyer Education class.
The class was designed to educate home buyers on various topics including financing requirements, understanding credit scores, home inspections, loan types, and radon mitigation.

Our Leoti banking center recently held a matching challenge, agreeing to match up to $10,000 in funds pledged by the Leoti community to benefit the Grow & Learn Childcare Center building project.

They matched all pledges 1:1 (up to $200 per individual and $400 per business) during a six week period. The Leoti community pledged a total of $13,359, securing the full match and raising a total of $23,359.

Wichita County currently has only one licensed home day care. The Grow & Learn Child Care Center will create a much needed solution for the parents and employers of the community.

Western State Bank Mortgage Loan Officer Jocelyn Ismerio and Mortgage Assistant Yeovana Martinez present a donation to representatives from the Kansas Children's Service League. The donation was made possible by the employee-driven Casual for a Cause program. The program is made up of donations from our employees, who select a different charity each month. They submit their donation in exchange for the chance to participate in casual Friday (jeans day). We're proud of the difference they continue to make.

Our Garden City team recently partnered with the GCCC Endowment Association and Dodge City-based Boot Hill Distillery to bring free hand sanitizer to the community. They hosted a drive-up distribution event on Saturday, April 25, and distributed 1,300 bottles in just two short hours. 

Due to the pandemic, our St. Francis team was unable to hold their annual community Easter Egg Hunt. So to continue the fun, they put together 200 treat bags for area children, and worked with the schools and day cares to disperse them. Thanks to all the sponsors who joined us in this effort: Farm Bureau Insurance , St. Francis Supers, Captain Hook’s, Tin Roof Baking Co, Grace Flying Service, Diamond R • Mark & Julie Mills, Fresh Seven, Majestic, St. Francis Tire, Mary Lehman, Dan & Rita Stephens, Don & Phyllis Whitmore, Frewen Insurance Agency, UM Thrift Store