Employees use kindness funds to help communities
Some of the lucky people Rachel surprised.
North Shore Bank employees have been performing acts of goodwill as part of our Bank on Kindness initiative.
Senior secondary market specialist Rachel Rasmussen spent the day doing good out in Waukesha last weekend — buying drinks for the cars in front of and behind her at the Starbucks drive-thru, buying flower bouquets and handing them out to people at the Waukesha Farmers’ Market, and buying gift cards for random customers at Aldi and Kwik Trip. She also bought books for a Little Free Library at Grandview Park.
“The last thing I did was give out a bunch of bubble wands, chalk packs, and Frisbees to give out to kids at five different parks. I put a North Shore Bank kindness sticker on each item,” Rachel said. “On the way home, I still had some Frisbees and chalk, and I passed a lemonade stand. I bought some lemonade and gave the little girl running it some chalk and a Frisbee.”
Fifth-grade teacher Su Forbes-Rodriguez at Red Apple Elementary and Alison from the library’s Youth Services department.
Senior financial accountant analyst Kristin Monday purchased books for a fifth-grade class at Red Apple Elementary and donated $50 to be used for more supplies throughout the school. Then she bought toys for the Racine Public Library.
Stephanie with her dog Luna (a rescue from Texas Rescue Riders), and volunteer Brooke, who is holding Elvis, a dog she’s fostering who is available for adoption.
And Muskego branch manager and community engagement manager AVP Stephanie Ruiz donated items to Texas Rescue Riders, a local nonprofit that brings cats and dogs from Texas to be adopted by Wisconsinites. “They go through pounds and pounds of food for the animals,” she said. Her donations included dog food, puppy pads, toys, treats, leashes and collars, blankets and towels, and a pet bed. •••
Shorewood bankers promote feast at farmers market
The busy farmers market.
North Shore Bank ran a booth last month at the Shorewood Farmers Market. Area manager AVP Shannon Weber and teller Audrey Elliott talked to market shoppers and let them know about the upcoming third annual Shorewood Feast.
Shannon and Audrey at the booth.
“There was such a great turnout!” Shannon said. “The weather was perfect, and we were able to speak with so many people. Some were customers of ours, and it was a great opportunity to thank them for being a part of North Shore Bank. Others were not customers — but you never know, maybe one day they will be.” •••
Germantown branch continues to promote library
The Germantown branch celebrated the end of the Germantown Community Library’s summer reading challenge with a concert by the Germantown High band in the branch parking lot. Besides the music, there were coffee and other refreshments, and we collected $740 for the band.
“This was our second year hosting the summer finale event and collecting donations for the Warhawk band,” branch manager and community engagement manager AVP Erica Hughes said. “I am proud to support the band, and North Shore Bank is a major corporate sponsor, as well.”
The branch is also participating in this month’s library card sign-up event. “We are excited to promote the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources,” Erica said. “They also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes — in addition to books.” •••
Welcome Party slated for Kenosha
Our next Welcome Party will take place Thursday, October 6, at Public Craft Brewing Co. in Kenosha. The party gives attendees — whether they’re new to town or have lived there for years — a chance to get to know people and local businesses and organizations. It’s free to attend! Let your customers and friends know — they can register here. •••
Seeing the hidden side of things requires focus
We seem to have lost the ability to pay attention with the diligence necessary to see the hidden, divine side of things. Painters, poets, and mystics all catch glimpses of it. To see properly, we must discipline the mind. The object of our attention can be anything — the intensity of concentration is what makes the insight come. When something strikes you in a way that makes you realize the world still has beauty, flag it as a focus for meditation.
Try this meditation for one minute today, or longer if you wish:
PICK SOMETHING from nature and concentrate on it exclusively. Familiarize yourself with it, so you can see it even with your eyes closed. Listen and wait for its secrets to be revealed.
Divine consciousness makes us feel that Spirit (however that is defined) is right here, inside each life breath, inside each heartbeat, inside everyone and everything around us.
—Sri Chinmoy, Indian meditation teacher
How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience with your fellow North Shore Bank employees at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana.
If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” •••
Families, fashion, furry friends, and lots more
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.
Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:
Super Saturday in Union Grove takes place Saturday, September 10, on Main Street. The event brings together local and small businesses, community partners, and civic organizations for a unique community event that offers something for everyone. More info here.
Bayshore Fashion Fest MKE will be Saturday, September 10, in Glendale. The event will showcase local designers, boutiques, artists, and more with fashion shows, a children’s design area, food trucks, and a variety of local vendors. More info here.
Wagfest takes place Saturday, September 10, at Mitchell Park in Brookfield. The daylong festival includes food, music, shopping, several different raffles — and of course, activities for dogs. Additionally, Wagfest will feature lure courses, the Zoomie Zone, Pawcasso Studio, photo booth, and the always popular Puptini Bar. More info here.
The third annual Shorewood Feast takes place Saturday, September 10. The daylong street festival will culminate with a family-style harvest dinner in the middle of Oakland Avenue. Members of the public can learn more about and sign up for a chance to win $500 in gift cards for local restaurants at shorewoodwi.com. More info here.
And Southside Dining Week, presented by North Shore Bank, returns Saturday, September 17, through Saturday, September 24. This celebration of Southside Milwaukee’s international cuisine offers the chance to enjoy a signature dish at each participating restaurant for under $15. North Shore Bank customers will also receive a $5 statement credit when they spend $15 or more with their North Shore Bank Debit Mastercard® at participating restaurants! (Restrictions may apply.) Members of the public can enter a giveaway to win $100 in gift cards for participating restaurants at southsidediningweek.com. More info here. •••