The evening was winding down at Collinsville’s 20th annual Festival of Trees celebration when representatives from the two charities benefiting from the night were ushered on stage along with Chamber of Commerce and UMB Bank representatives.

Members of UMB Bank, Tote Me Home, Collinsville Charities for Children and the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce with a ceremonial check for $10,000 / Photo by Roger Starkey

When a UMB Bank spokesperson announced that they were donating $10,000 to the Festival of Trees, in honor of the banks 100th anniversary, the Tote Me Home and Collinsville Charities for Children were visibly surprised and thrilled.

Robin Ponce, assistant vice president/financial sales manager at UMB Banks in Collinsville and Maryville said the bank’s theme for their 100th anniversary celebration was giving back to the community. Employees in the St. Louis area have cleaned in Forest Park, donated and volunteered at a food pantry, hosted a golf tournament for the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis and performed many other charitable acts throughout the year. Employees at the various branches that practiced random acts of kindness throughout the year were also honored.

UMB Bank of Collinsville and Maryville awarded the Festival of Trees with its largest donation of the year because “it is always a good cause that deserves the help,” Ponce said.