Island County Habitat Gets Truck Funds
Peoples Bank awarded a $25,000 grant to help the organization buy a new vehicle for home repair crews on Whidbey and Camano.
By Amelia Gupta ·
Home repair crews on Whidbey and Camano Islands will soon have a new vehicle to transport tools and materials. Habitat for Humanity of Island County announced on Sunday that it received a $25,000 grant from Peoples Bank. The funding will help the group purchase a new construction truck to support its daily work.
The new truck will replace an aging vehicle and allow the organization's Repair Specialist to move equipment more efficiently across the islands. Orin Kolaitis, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Island County, said the purchase is an investment in serving local families. "This vehicle will strengthen our home repair and construction programs, allowing us to efficiently reach homeowners across Whidbey and Camano Islands while also restoring essential Habitat Store operations," Kolaitis stated.
Peoples Bank created the annual Impact Grant program to fund specific projects that provide long-term benefits to local communities. Lisa Hefter, the Chief Operating Officer at Peoples Bank, noted that the grant supports a practical solution for residents. "Habitat for Humanity of Island County has a proven track record of helping local residents maintain safe, affordable housing," Hefter said. The bank has been serving the region for 100 years and operates 23 locations throughout Washington state.
The Impact Grant program launched in 2017. It provides funds for a single project or purpose that has a lasting positive effect on the community. This year's award goes directly toward the cost of the new truck, which will be used to carry building materials and tools for affordable housing projects. Kolaitis added that the grant helps preserve affordable housing and keep neighbors safely housed.
Peoples Bank is also running a separate voting initiative for its $10,000 Peoples Choice Grant. Nine other applicants have been selected for this award. Community members can vote for the winner online at www.peoplesbank-wa.com/vote. The voting period ends at midnight on October 23rd. Peoples Bank is an independent, full-service community bank headquartered in Bellingham with $2.4 billion in assets.
