COMMUNITY-MINDED
New ‘Read, Play, Learn’ space brings books, financial literacy learning to laundromat
A couple of little helpers took part in the ribbon cutting, along with (from left) Laundry Cares Foundation Executive Vice President Dan Naumann, Quick Wash Laundromat Owner Jason Dodge, North Shore Bank President and CEO Jay McKenna, City of Milwaukee Office of Early Childhood Initiatives Director Dea Wright, and Community Engagement Manager and Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager Mike Williams.
On April 30, North Shore Bank, LaundryCares Foundation, and Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives opened a brand-new “Read, Play, Learn” space at Quick Wash laundromat, located at 7903 W. Capitol Drive, right next door to the Milwaukee Capitol branch.
The opening event was a “Free Laundry and Literacy Day,” which provided free laundry services and refreshments, engaged children and adults in early financial literacy activities, and offered exciting door prizes.
The response from the community was amazing!
- About 45 children attended the event, and we gave out more than 200 books.
- In addition, Quick Wash did 5,060 pounds of laundry – that equals 506 loads! – for families at no charge.
- The prizes given away included two TVs, two bikes, Milwaukee County Zoo and Museum passes, laundry bags, soap, dryer sheets, and a free year of laundry.
- The total value of prizes given away was $3,000!
Mike Williams, Community Engagement Manager and Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager, reads to children at the event.
The new “Read, Play, Learn Space” is a comfortable spot with dozens of new culturally affirming books, providing a place for families to relax and learn at the laundromat. Kids can even take the books home as new ones will be added regularly. More than 25% of the books focus on financial literacy for young kids, helping little ones learn about successful spending and saving.
Jay McKenna, President and CEO of North Shore Bank, said the partnership’s mission to make learning more accessible for all is a natural fit for the bank.
To lend ongoing literacy support, the partners have established a monthly “Summer Series of Literacy Days,” where the community is welcome to attend onsite programming. Events cover a range of topics, including financial literacy. The “Summer Literacy Days” will be held on Wednesdays, June 12, July 17, and August 14, from 3 to 5 p.m.
BANK ON KINDNESS
Bank partners with artist, middle-schoolers to promote kindness
Pulaski Community Middle School students work on the “BE KIND” art installation outside North Shore Bank.
Residents of Pulaski will see a colorful reminder about kindness this summer in front of the community’s North Shore Bank branch. The bank is partnering with Green Bay area artist Gregory Frederic and the Pulaski Community Middle School to paint 7-foot letters that spell out “BE KIND.”
The artist and students collaborated to design the art installation, Pulaski’s first public art project of the season. Painting takes place this week between 3 and 5 p.m., and the community is encouraged to stop by and see the artists in action!
The completed artwork will be unveiled during a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, and it will be on display in front of the bank through August. 03335
This effort is part of North Shore Bank’s “Bank on Kindness™” initiative, where the bank encourages the spread of kindness through events, activations, and installations like Pulaski’s BE KIND letters.
This is North Shore Bank’s third summer of working with local artists to bring the “BE KIND” message to one of the communities it serves. In 2022, the bank commissioned a Milwaukee artist to design and paint the extra-tall letters on the land in front of its North End branch and a Waukesha artist to design and paint the letters that were on display in Pewaukee next to the branch there in 2023.
“As a community bank, we’re always looking for fun and positive ways to engage our neighbors. What better way to continue to spread our Bank on Kindness message than a giant reminder, designed and painted by a talented local artist, along with the Pulaski Middle School Art Club,” said Katie Longsine, branch manager of North Shore Bank.
PERSONAL CELEBRATIONS
Work experience inspires employee to pursue education in cybersecurity
Ashley Peck on graduation day
Ashley Peck achieved a milestone goal recently, earning her associate’s degree in cybersecurity. As a Contact Center specialist, she said her work with employees on North Shore Bank’s security team and debit card/ATM team inspired her to fulfill her dream of receiving this degree — and she’s not done yet! She’s working toward her bachelor’s now.
Ashley’s been in banking for 13 years (with North Shore Bank since 2017), seeing the business become increasingly digital. Unfortunately, fraud has been on the rise at the same time. She and her coworkers in the Contact Center work closely with the security team and the debit card/ATM team to help customers targeted by scammers.
“Both departments, as well as here in the Contact Center, have an amazing group of people who are trying to stay ahead of the fraud trends,” she said, noting that debit card fraud, computer hacks, Zelle fraud, people impersonating customers, and phone number spoofing are among the most common things seen in the Contact Center.
The associate’s program taught her both the technical and psychological sides of cybersecurity, helping her to anticipate when, where, and how an attack might happen and how to prevent it. Her goal is to help North Shore Bank customers become as savvy as possible in avoiding scams and fraud.
Ashley likes technology and is passionate about helping people prevent and recover from cybercrime and hacking. She’s excited to keep learning about this field as she continues her education through an online program with Southern New Hampshire University. Ashley is on track to earn her bachelor’s in May 2025.
Outside of pursuing her educational goals, Ashley lives in Milwaukee and loves spending time with her family — her husband and two sons, Ayden and Ezio — and walking the family’s two dogs. She also participates in Cyber Skyline, where high school and college students compete in cybersecurity-related tasks.
Congratulations on your achievement, Ashley!
COMMUNITY-MINDED
Two days left in annual UPAF fundraiser
Just two days of events remain in the weeklong United Performing Arts Fund fundraiser! Here’s what’s coming up on Thursday and Friday:
Thursday
- Rock decorating for Waukesha County “Rocks” from 2-3:30 pm; enjoy cookies, beverages, and getting your raffle tickets while a UPAF performer entertains you in the 4th-floor café.
Friday
- Last chance to enter the raffles! Drawings will be held at 4:30 p.m.
Bike Raffle: “Playing Cards” Raffle
There’s still time to enter to win the Felt Verza Speed 50 Bicycle, valued at $700!
- A $25 donation buys you one card. If we draw your card, you win!
- Only 53 cards will be sold!
- Email Cheryl Lang to enter.
- Drawing to be held on Friday, May 10.
Volunteers needed for Art64 in Wauwatosa June 7-8
Art64 is the Midwest’s largest head-to-head, bracket-style painting tournament, where 64 artists paint live over the course of two days. Each artist is given 60 minutes to paint a predetermined theme on canvas, and the winner takes home $20,000!
We’re looking for 8 volunteers to host in the kids and family relaxation area during the shifts listed below. You’ll interact and have fun with families as you help with lawn games, craft tables, a shade oasis, and roaming around taking Polaroid pictures. If you like being greeted with big smiles and kind hugs, please sign up to be our mascot.
Come join us in this unique experience! Sign up today!
North Shore Bank’s Art64 – Friday
North Shore Bank’s Art64 – Saturday AM
North Shore Bank’s Art64 – Saturday PM
Coins for Kids to benefit Children’s Wisconsin ends May 15
Don’t forget to gather up your loose change and empty your piggy banks — there’s still time to donate to the Coins for Kids fundraiser to benefit Children’s Wisconsin!
Through May 15, North Shore Bank locations in southeastern Wisconsin will count coins for free and individuals can donate all or a portion to the fundraiser to support Children’s Wisconsin. The bank is matching up to $5,000 of what is donated through 5 p.m. on May 15.
Personal banking customers can always get coins counted for free, but the bank is waiving the fee for non-customers during the fundraiser. While coin counting is not complimentary for commercial businesses, local businesses can stop in to drop off donations.
Please join us in lending support with a donation. Then, tune in to the 26th annual WKLH Miracle Marathon presented by Mars Family Foundation benefiting Children’s Wisconsin May 16-17. Learn more at www.childrenswi.org/miracle.
TELL YOUR CUSTOMERS
Gift cards available with no purchase fee through June
Here’s a reminder that you can purchase fee-free gift cards for all your spring and summer occasions through June 30 at any North Shore Bank branch! Gift cards are perfect for everyone you are celebrating this season — graduates, mom and dad, brides and grooms. They’re accepted by any merchant that takes Mastercard, can be customized to whatever amount you want to give, and are available at all branches.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Discover events and activities in and around your community
- North Shore Bank’s ‘Coins for Kids’ Free Coin Counting for Children’s Wisconsin| Monday, April 15 to Wednesday, May 15| All North Shore Bank branches in southeastern Wisconsin
- New Berlin Hanging Basket Sale for Junior Woman’s Club | Thursday, May 9 to Saturday, May 11 | North Shore Bank | 15505 W. National Ave. | New Berlin
Shorelines wants to share news about YOU!
Just a reminder that we’re always looking for fun and exciting things to share in Shorelines. Whether it’s a special event at your branch or a shout-out to one of your coworkers, a great trip you went on with family or friends, information about a half-marathon you’re running, or even just a fantastic photo you took over the weekend, we’d love to share it! Please email shorelines@northshorebank.com to have your news included in a future issue.