In the Community

In the Community: September 2024 Review

October 16, 2024
“Of all our core values, there’s a reason community is the heart of our mission statement. With each bank we build, we integrate our Team TRB identity into the fabric of each city and town we serve. We make it our responsibility to know the people in our community, and to serve them like we know them. This is how we bank Texas one relationship at a time. We will succeed if our communities succeed. Go Team TRB!” 

Brent Baldree

President

September 2024 Review

Volunteers for September

  1. Michelle Houston – 50.5 
  1. John Wells – 40.5 
  1. Denise Knight – 30 
  1. Jason Hendrix – 29.5 
  1. Cristie Escochea – 27 

Where We Volunteered

  1. Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – 32 
  1. Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce – 29 
  1. Native Plant Society of Texas – 24 
  1. Denton Chamber of Commerce – 23.5 
  1. University of North Texas – 21 

Team TRB in the Spotlight 

Each September for the last few years, branches in the RGV have joined forces with South Texas Health System and participated in their Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Chalk-the-Walk Campaign. This September, TRB Teams at McColl, Weslaco, and Brownsville-Pablo Kisel all made time to encourage their communities by surrounding their banking centers with chalked sidewalks, drawing and decorating, and writing inspirational notes, so that clients and customers visiting their branches would know one thing for sure, ‘the people you know’, care. 

Team TRB in RGV emphasized the importance of raising awareness for suicide prevention while reducing stigma surrounding conversations about mental health. For those who participated and for those who enjoyed the positive vibes, the Chalk the Walk Initiative fostered a sense of community, compassion, and support for those struggling, reminding people that it’s okay not to be okay. Overall, efforts like Chalk the Walk promote understanding, encourage open dialogue, and create hope for those facing mental health challenges.  

September Recap by Region 

Central 

  • David DeStefano volunteered with his local city and planned an upcoming fundraiser event with A Kind Hart Foundation. 
  • David also volunteered with Cheyanna’s Champions 4 Children, welcomed new families, and introduced dads to the Tribe 4 Dads program at the annual new team meet up. 
  • Keri Sandvig spoke to the executive directors for several nonprofit organizations on how to select a board and get your board actively engaged, and she also participated with the Bulverde Spring Branch Economic Development Foundation. 
  • Kim Boren, Keri Sandvig, and Michelle Garcia participated with the Bulverde Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce. 
  • Zach Townsend attended a meeting with Comal County Emergency Services District #5 and was named commissioner in waiting.   
  • John Wells, Emily Kirchner, and Angela Egli participated in an annual fundraiser golf tournament for the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. 
  • Emily Kirchner and John Wells volunteered with the Fredericksburg Parks Department to fundraise for a new project planting native trees. 

Dallas + Ft. Worth 

  • Michelle Houston, Cristie Escochea, and Chase Harris attended a fundraising gala and auction hosted by Champions for Children. 
  • Cristie Escochea, Jacque Kruppa, and Emily Diebitsch volunteered at Emmit J. Conrad High School’s Youth at the Booth Voter and Community Empowerment event. They spoke with students about careers in banking and gave out TRB promo items. 
  • James Graves, Erica De Jesus, Michelle Houston, and Kimberly Chambless worked the Dog Days of Summer with Denton Parks & Rec. running a TRB promotional table. 
  • Kathy Boop and Cristie Escochea attended a ribbon cutting and open house for Fire Station #20 in North Dallas. 
  • Denise Knight represented TRB in a Leadership Denton Steering Committee role. 
  • Emily Diebitsch participated in a Closet Clear Out Yard Sale to benefit a local nonprofit, Christian Women’s Job Corp. 
  • Mimi Tran attended a luncheon with her local chamber to benefit a nonprofit and also participated with the Rotary Foundation of Colleyville as they hosted a guest speaker. 
  • Hudson Marshall attended a Corporate Outreach Committee Meeting at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.  
  • Michelle Houston volunteered at the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce at a merchandise booth and attended the Denton County Friends of the Family brunch fundraiser. 
  • Michelle also attended the 20th Anniversary of the Denton County Alternative Dispute & Resolution Center event where they also celebrated a Grand Opening of The Law Center. 

Houston 

  • Lisa Ta performed two ribbon cuttings with the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, and she also volunteered at Ft. Bend County’s Infrastructure Conference. 
  • Lewis Gissel participated in Ft. Bend County’s Infrastructure Conference and its Emerging Cities Breakfast. 
  • Clay Wright attended a monthly networking breakfast with the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce, and he also performed two grand openings and ribbon cuttings for new local businesses. 
  • Cody Gaines attended his local church’s board meeting volunteering and planning the annual fall festival. 

Rio Grande Valley 

  • Brent Baldree, Jacque Kruppa, Michell Robinson, Tracy Harris, Keri Sandvig, Kim Perry, Jamie Brown, Laura Villarreal, Diana Delaunay, and Lisa Ta attended a fundraising event for Make a Wish Foundation of the RGV.  
  • In coordination with the Native Plant Society of Texas, Jamie Rosas, Diana Delaunay, Mandy Austin, Jacque Kruppa, Michele Robinson, Tracy Harris, Keri Sandvig, Kim Perry, Laura Villareal, Lisa Ta, and Mimi Tran planted 101 native plants to establish a butterfly migration garden on South Padre Island. 
  • Diana Delaunay and Arturo Ledezma gave a financial literacy presentation to the Youth Offender Program hosted by the 197th District Court and Judge Cordova. 
  • Diana Delaunay attended the Building Financial Capacity Coalition event, where she was chairwoman and shared resources to young mothers to encourage them to continue their education once they graduate high school. 
  • Dalinda Guillen participated with the General Federation of Women Florence J. Scott Women’s Club planning an events calendar for Starr County. 
  • Elias Trevino, Rita Garcia, Delma Diaz, and Valeria Suarez supported community members who participated in the Greater Gold Foundation’s 5K. 
  • Valeria Suarez attended the 45th Annual Collage Gala hosted by the International Museum of Arts & Sciences. 
  • Jamie Brown and TRB McAllen Main hosted District Clerk Laura Reyes and her team to provide passport services to the community. 

Core Value: Community

We take pride in contributing our time and resources to make our communities a great place to live and work. We are successful when our communities are successful.