United Community Bank’s Junior Board of Directors recently completed its first community service project of its term.

The junior board consists of 17 high school seniors from Dawson County High School. The educational program is designed to introduce students to banking, leadership and community service. Applicants were chosen by high school and bank representatives based on academic excellence, extra curricular involvement and overall leadership abilities.

One of the board’s first orders of business was to select its first community service project. KARE for Kids was the organization the group chose.

The board wanted to help KARE for Kids provide the local families in need with gifts for Christmas by shopping for the families and then sorting the items at the KARE for Kids headquarters.

The group met Dec. 7 to receive shopping lists and then headed off to shop. After two hours of shopping, the junior directors gathered back at headquarters to help sort the gifts and place them in the appropriate boxes. 

According to the group, it was a rewarding experience to know that even though its efforts were only a small part of the generous service, it helped to provide local children and their families with a happier and more memorable Christmas.

United Community Bank appreciates the opportunity to work with such outstanding students in the community and looks forward to watching the young men and women of the junior board become successful leaders in the communities in which they live.

This year’s junior board members include: Amanda Florentine, Amanda Sheriff, Amelia Turner, Celene Bernon, Cheyenne Bennett, Erin Gordon, Jacob Anglin, Jessi Phillips, Jimmy Nguyen, Katie Simmons, Kellie Bishop, MacKenzie Myers, Maressa Langway, Megan Todd, Nichol Lafontaine, Rose Samples and Wesley Bearden.