Kim Bain, Manager of First Bank, Hollis Crossroads, this week presented Jackie Howle of HEARTS a donation of $500.

Bain said First Bank serves three counties and they are making similar donations in all three counties. Howle said HEARTS appreciates the donation as "there are a lot of people having hard times right now. We are seeing all kinds of needs." HEARTS assists in a variety of ways including helping with clothing, utility bills and food. Howle said their Christmas sponsorship program went very well this year and all families/children in the program were taken care of. She said they did see an increase in the number of requests this year from 200 to over 300 families and some 600 children.